YKONE, the leading international influencer marketing agency in the fields of luxury and beauty, continues to expand its creative network in the Middle East, which has become a global hub for art and culture, with the opening of a 500 square metre studio in Dubai and offices in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi in late 2021. Olivier Billon, the founder of YKONE, has announced the appointment of Ali Cha’aban as Creative Director, who will lead a team based in Riyadh and Dubai.
As a Lebanese-Saudi artist based in Riyadh, Ali Cha’aban has already received international acclaim for his creations displayed in some of the region’s finest galleries. Born in Kuwait, Ali Cha’aban uses his multicultural upbringing across the Gulf states as a key inspiration. His work has been exhibited in spaces such as Ayyam in Jeddah, Mark Hachem in Beirut, or the Galerie Nikki Diana Marquardt in Paris. Ali has also worked with international brands, including Nike in 2018.
Indeed, the Kingdom has the highest number of active modern artists in the Gulf, which has been made possible by the creation of a supportive cultural infrastructure. This is in keeping with the government’s 2030 strategy, which calls for the cultural and creative sectors to be a significant engine of economic growth in order to diversify the economy.
Recognizing the sector’s potential, regional governments are pouring money into the cultural and creative sectors in order to promote national heritage, attract worldwide companies and visitors, and educate young people. The Diriyah Biennale, Saudi Arabia’s first biennial contemporary art exhibition, which ran from December 2021 to March 2022 and featured over 60 artists, nearly half of whom were Saudi citizens, exemplifies the region’s expanding art and creative landscape. YKONE is eager to tap into this burgeoning talent pool in order to put the regional influencer ecosystem on the map for producing high-quality content. Ali created a series of skateboards and various carpets to commemorate his arrival at YKONE, which are presently on exhibit in the new YKONE Gallery in the heart of Dubai Design District. He also produced a new logo and visual identity for YKONE in the Middle East, which includes the first translation of the YKONE logo into Arabic.