After nearly 15 years of operating between London and New York, Finnish-Lebanese art dealer Taymour Grahne is putting down roots with a new project space in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai’s premier arts district. Known for his unconventional approach, Grahne spent the past decade running pop-up shows globally rather than relying on a permanent gallery. He has consistently championed over 50 experimental artists, including Amy Lincoln, Dominique Fung, Samira Abbassy, and Latifa Alajlan.
For the intrepid dealer, now in his thirties, returning to a base is a homecoming of sorts. “It’s interesting to kind of go back in time, because everything happened for a reason,” he told Artsy.
A Middle Eastern Connection
Grahne’s ties to the Arab art world date back to childhood. Born in London and raised across New York and Beirut, his earliest exposure to art came from his Lebanese grandfather, Nuhad Es-Said, a collector of Islamic metalwork whose collection was exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum. Later, while studying international relations in Boston, Grahne frequented Beirut’s art scene, meeting influential figures like gallerist Saleh Barakat and painter Mouna Sehnaoui. These experiences inspired him to launch the blog Art of the Mid East at 19, which became his entry point into the art world.
Over four years, he gained recognition for presenting notable Middle Eastern artists, such as Zineb Sedira, Katia Kameli, Mohammed Kazem, and Hassan Hajjaj. Grahne chooses artists based on instinctual connection, valuing visual impact first, followed by concept, research, and depth.
Moving Forward: Dubai as a New Epicenter
In 2017, Grahne relocated to London to be closer to family and friends while continuing his advisory work and hosting online and pop-up exhibitions. Despite appreciating the nomadic model, he felt drawn to Dubai. “Dubai, for me, became the place where I know more people than anywhere else. It feels like a new center,” he explained. The UAE’s rich ecosystem of museums, galleries, auction houses, and fairs such as Art Dubai, alongside regional hubs like Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, made it an attractive base for his vision.
With his two-level space, Taymour Grahne Projects, he is redefining the gallery model. Eschewing traditional representation, he seeks collaboration, hosting artist talks, tours, and creating a welcoming project space. His debut Dubai exhibition, Arranging Flowers, showcases serene interior scenes and still lifes by American artist Gail Spaien.
Grahne believes the conventional gallery model is in flux. While high costs and global market slowdown challenge traditional spaces, cities like Dubai and Beirut offer relative insulation. “We’re at the tip of the iceberg, and a new art world, a new model, is coming. It’s a work in progress for all of us,” he concluded.