This August, Sotheby’s London is spotlighting Middle Eastern artistry through its “Hafla” series, a dynamic exhibition that celebrates the region’s rich cultural heritage. This event features four distinct exhibitions: “Khamseen: 50 Years of Saudi Visual Art,” “Masarat Al-Hibr: Exceptional Qur’anic and Calligraphic Works from the Bashir Mohamed Family Collection,” “A2Z Advisory Jewelry at Sotheby’s,” and an exclusive collection of handbags inspired by Saudi Arabia’s traditions.
Among the exhibitions, “Khamseen” stands out as the most expansive, according to Alexandra Roy, Sotheby’s Head of Sale, Modern and Contemporary Middle East. This showcase, created in collaboration with Jeddah’s Hafez Gallery and its founder, Qaswra Hafez, presents a diverse array of works spanning from the 1960s to the present, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, prints, and installations. “We’ve known Qaswra Hafez for a long time, and this has been a project that he’s been thinking about doing for a while,” Roy shared. “It’s very much overdue.
There have been some amazing shows in London on Saudi visual culture, and of course, a lot is happening in the Kingdom right now. It’s an amazing moment to be part of that.”
The exhibition is part of Sotheby’s ongoing involvement with Saudi Arabia’s art scene, having previously participated in the Kingdom’s two art biennales. “We have 60 artists represented, and it’s the first time some of these works have ever been seen. We go back to circa 1965, and it’s been difficult to source works from as early as that, but we really wanted to show work from the pioneers,” Roy explained. She emphasized that “Khamseen” is just an introductory exhibition, expressing hope that it will lead to deeper explorations in the future.
Another highlight of “Hafla” is the collaboration with UK luxury brand Asprey and Saudi jewelry house Nuun, founded by Princess Nourah Alfaisal. This partnership has produced a capsule collection of handbags inspired by Saudi Arabia’s five major regions. “We’ve been in touch with Princess Nourah for a number of years. She’s such an interesting personality who has a wide variety of personal projects,” said Sophie Stevens, Director and Jewelry Specialist MENA for Sotheby’s. “She’s a very, very prominent figure in the Saudi cultural scene. She was enormously excited when she heard about this exhibition because it’s a great platform to speak about those initiatives.”
The luxury segment of “Hafla” also includes a collaboration with A2Z, founded by Abdulrahman Al-Zayani, recognized as the Gulf’s leading jewelry and art advisor.
“We’re taking over the Sotheby’s salon space on New Bond Street, and we’re going to be exhibiting about 140 pieces that are inspired by Eastern design or have some kind of connection,” Stevens explained.
The final component of “Hafla” is the display of 28 Qur’anic and calligraphic works from the Bashir Mohamed Family Collection. These pieces, ranging from the 9th century to the contemporary era, showcase the evolution of Islamic script and regional identity. Frankie Keyworth, an Islamic and Indian art specialist, highlighted a bifolio from the Blue Qur’an and an illuminated firman from the reign of Suleyman the Magnificent as particularly noteworthy. Keyworth said, “We’ve seen individual leaves from the (Blue Qur’an) come to auction or appear in exhibitions, but having a bifolio is really exciting because it truly shows its scale and just how impressive it was.”
The timing of “Hafla” is significant, as it comes during a period of civil unrest in the UK, driven largely by right-wing groups promoting Islamophobia. Although planned well in advance, the event offers a timely opportunity for cultural exchange and understanding by celebrating Middle Eastern culture. “I think it’s hugely important and a very impactful way to open up greater exchanges and cultural understanding,” Stevens remarked, emphasizing the value of the educational initiatives that accompany the exhibitions.
