Masterpieces of Islamic art on display in Dubai 

Umayyad bronze buck. (Supplied)
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Updated 04 October 2024
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Masterpieces of Islamic art on display in Dubai 

DUBAI: Here are highlights from Sotheby’s upcoming autumn auctions of ancient and modern art from the Arab world. 

Mohammed Al-Saleem 

‘Untitled’ 

Last week, Sotheby’s Dubai hosted an exhibition of highlights from the auction house’s upcoming bi-annual Middle Eastern art week at its headquarters in London, which involves two auctions — “Arts of the Islamic World and India” and “Modern and Contemporary Middle East.” The exhibition included centuries-old Islamic artefacts from the Arab world, alongside canvases by some of the region’s most significant modern and contemporary artists. Among the latter was this untitled work by Al-Saleem, described by Sotheby’s as “one of Saudi Arabia’s foremost modern artists” who “has greatly contributed to the growth and evolution of art in the Kingdom.” The painter “belonged to a faction of cultural development in Saudi that sought a balance between the modernist and traditionalist aesthetics. Central to the artist’s oeuvre is a mediation between abstraction and figuration, in which he employs geometric forms to capture his surroundings,” the auction house states. This particular piece is expected to fetch up to £100,000 (roughly SAR500,000) at auction later this month.  

Umayyad bronze buck 

The highlight of the “Arts of the Islamic World and India” auction is this exceptionally rare bronze sculpture dating back to the 8th century CE, which is expected to fetch up to £3 million at auction. It is, Sotheby’s states, “indisputably one of the finest known animal sculptures from the Umayyad and early Abbasid period” and “one of only two known animal sculptures with a documentary inscription, recording the name of both its maker (Abdallah ibn Thabit) and patron (Ubaydallah ibn Jabir).” The is remarkable not just for its age and condition, but for its aesthetic merit. “Its cylindrical body gains movement by the sloping line that runs from the buck’s head to its deep rounded chest,” Sotheby’s notes. “This line shifts the visual weight slightly towards the rear, subtly emphasized by the angle of the animal’s well-articulated legs. It is as if he is tensing as he maintains his alertness…” A report compiled for Sotheby’s by Dr. Julian Raby concludes: “The buck … is a major addition to our understanding of figurative sculpture in the second century of the Hijra … It also happens to be a wondrous and sophisticated object in its own right.” 

Leaf from Arabic translation of Dioscorides’ ‘De Materia Medica’ 

Between 50 and 70 CE, Greek physician Pedanius Dioscorides wrote his five-volume encyclopedia of herbal medicine, which remained the leading reference on the topic for more than 1,500 years and was used extensively across Europe and the Middle East, with the original text and illustrations being copied multiple times. This double-sided, illustrated leaf comes from an Arabic translation produced in Mesopotamia in the 13th century. “In the Arab context, the text was important not just for its pharmacological and medical information, but also for its role in developing the art of manuscript illumination,” Sotheby’s notes. This leaf, it continues, is an example of the School of Baghdad miniatures and “marks the bridge between the classically rooted Byzantine style of book illustration of the Late Antique period and the genesis of what would later be termed by Western scholars ‘Persian painting.’” 

Ayman Baalbaki 

‘7ay Jober’ 

The portrayal of war — whether through his expressionist portraits of fighters or paintings of ruined urban landscapes — has been a constant theme throughout the career of Baalbaki, one of Lebanon’s most popular contemporary artists. In this work, created in 2014, the artist shifted his focus from his homeland to the civil war raging in neighboring Syria, specifically the Jober district of Damascus. “Baalbaki’s works during this time mark an enduring commitment to communicating the plight of regional conflict,” Sotheby’s states. “Harnessing materiality and texture, Baalbaki presents a flurry of skillfully arranged, gestural strokes, harnessing emotion through mark-making.” 

An illuminated Qur’an copied by Ya’qut Al-Musta’simi in 1275-6 CE  

Sotheby’s describes Al-Musta’simi as “by far the most famous calligrapher in the history of Islamic art” whose “works have — for over 700 years — been among the most sought-after examples of the Islamic arts of the book.” This example of his work, written in naskh script, is “an exciting addition to a very small corpus of manuscripts reliably attributed to the calligrapher, and provides an insight into the workings of the royal scribal ateliers of Baghdad in the late 13th century.” According to the auction house, this is the only known Qur’an by Al-Musta’simi “not housed in a major library or museum.” It is expected to fetch between £600,000 to 800,000. 

A group of 12 pottery dishes from Abbasid Iraq 

This set of iridescent bowls is thought to have been created in the ninth or 10th century CE in Abbasid Iraq. It “perfectly showcases the decorative technique of lusterware — one of the most sophisticated, expensive and difficult of the period — by potters who sought to imitate the shine of gold,” Sotheby’s states. “These beautiful examples offer a rich array of designs, from animal motifs to abstract palmettes.” 


Qassim artisans preserve palm wicker heritage

Updated 25 August 2025
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Qassim artisans preserve palm wicker heritage

  • Art, passed down through generations, continues to thrive as artisans blend rich cultural heritage with creativity at the Buraidah Dates Carnival
  • Palm wicker industry dates back to ancient times, originally serving essential household needs

RIYADH: The Qassim region is renowned for its traditional craftsmanship, particularly in the palm wicker industry. This art, passed down through generations, continues to thrive as artisans blend rich cultural heritage with creativity at the Buraidah Dates Carnival.

Craftswoman Umm Abdullah demonstrated the intricate process of palm wicker weaving, beginning with soaking and drying the fronds before skillfully crafting them into a range of products, including baskets, mats, and dining mats.

She explained that the abundance of palm trees in Qassim has made the craft a vital source of income for families working in the cottage industry, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Umm Abdullah said that palm frond collectibles are in high demand due to their cultural significance and cherished connection to heritage.

The palm wicker industry dates back to ancient times, originally serving essential household needs. Over time, development and innovation have diversified its products and designs, solidifying its position as an authentic craft.


From Cannes to Casino du Liban, flutist Daniel Alhaiby returns to Lebanon

Updated 25 August 2025
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From Cannes to Casino du Liban, flutist Daniel Alhaiby returns to Lebanon

DUBAI: Flute in hand and a deep connection to both East and West, Daniel Alhaiby is preparing for his first solo concert at Lebanon’s Casino du Liban on Sept. 10.

The performance follows his years of experience playing at prestigious venues and events, including the Cannes Film Festival, where he shared his music with international audiences.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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“Cannes is pure magic. Each time I play, I feel like I’m representing not just myself, but a whole culture, a whole story,” Alhaiby told Arab News.

Returning to Lebanon for his solo concert is a deeply personal moment for Alhaiby.

“Performing in Lebanon is like coming full circle for me. It’s where everything started, and it holds so much significance,” he said.

“Sharing my music in my home country feels like a celebration of my journey, from Paris to the world stage and back home again.

“Casino du Liban has always been a dream venue for me … The audience can expect a truly special experience. I’ve carefully crafted the setlist to take them on a musical journey that blends my original compositions with reimagined classics.”

Alhaiby’s musical influences are diverse, ranging from Piazzolla and Rimsky-Korsakov to Fairuz, Hans Zimmer, Pink Floyd and Bach.

“I’m influenced by emotion more than genre. Anything that moves me, be it a Bach partita or an oriental improvisation, finds its way into my music,” he said.

The musician shared that he was drawn to the flute from a “very young age,” saying: “Its sound always felt close to my soul, there’s something about its breathy, expressive tone that connected deeply with my emotions. Over time, it became more than just an instrument; it became my voice, my way of expressing everything words couldn’t.”


Yara Shahidi stars in new Jean Paul Gaultier campaign

Updated 24 August 2025
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Yara Shahidi stars in new Jean Paul Gaultier campaign

DUBAI: Part-Middle Eastern actress Yara Shahidi is the face of Jean Paul Gaultier’s latest “Divine” campaign for the luxury brand’s new elixir.

 The French brand released its Divine eau de parfum as an elixir — a type of concentrated perfume — this week, with Shahidi starring in the campaign alongside model Raphael Diogo.

Crafted by perfumer Quentin Bisch, the scent has floral and marine notes and was first released as an eau de parfum in 2023.

The fragrance is vegan, cruelty free and made with 90 percent “natural origin ingredients responsibly sourced,” according to the label.  

In a new set of images and clips shared on social media, Shahidi can be seen posing in a gold-hued sequinned gown while clutching the new product. The actress also showed off a velvet black top edged with gold baubles in another image.

In the original 2023 campaign, Shahidi appeared alongside Spanish actress Lola Rodriquez, South African catwalk star Thando Hopa, US actress and model Tess McMillan, Lagos-born model Janet Jumbo and Brazilian runway model Ana Elisa de Brito.  

The “Grown-ish” star was also included in the casting decisions and creative aspects of the launch, which aimed to celebrate women. 

“Actress, model, activist, social justice advocate and feminist, she was one of Time Magazines’ Most Influential Teens of 2016. Harvard graduate and creator of Eighteen x 18, a platform to encourage young US people to vote, Yara Shahidi has many different faces,” the brand wrote in a statement at the time.

The collaboration came after Shahidi was spotted wearing a custom-made, bronzed look by Jean Paul Gaultier at the 2023 Met Gala.

 Shahidi is also a global ambassador for the Dior’s fashion and beauty lines and was named among National Geographic’s list of 33 “visionaries, creators, icons, and adventurers” from across the globe earlier this year.

Part-Middle Eastern star Shahidi, whose father is Iranian, was named on the list in the “Creators” subsection that celebrates “out-of-the-box thinkers developing innovative solutions.”

The “Black-ish” and “Grown-ish” actress was highlighted due to her podcast “The Optimist Project.”

Shahidi, 25, launched the podcast to explore how to live a more fulfilling life with various special guests hosted on each episode.

Shahidi, a Harvard graduate, says she was inspired by the dynamic conversations she has with members of her diverse family. 

 


Filmmakers urge Venice Film Festival to take stand on Gaza

Updated 24 August 2025
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Filmmakers urge Venice Film Festival to take stand on Gaza

DUBAI: Hundreds of filmmakers and cultural figures have rallied behind an open letter demanding the Venice Film Festival break its silence on Gaza, calling on it to take a “clear and unambiguous stand” against what they denounce as genocide and ethnic cleansing.

The appeal, organized under the banner of Venice4Palestine, was sent to the Venice film festival umbrella organization, the Biennale di Venezia, on Friday.

In the letter, the group accuses the Israeli government and military of carrying out genocide in Gaza and ethnic cleansing across Palestine. It urges the festival to avoid becoming “a sad and empty showcase” by providing instead “a place of dialogue, active participation and resistance, as it has been in the past.”

Signatories include British filmmaker Ken Loach, Italian actor Toni Servillo (star of 2025 Venice opener, “La Grazia” from Paolo Sorrentino), Italian actress and director siblings Alba and Alice Rohrwacher, actress Jasmine Trinca, French directors Celine Sciamma and Audrey Diwan, British actor Charles Dance, and Palestinian directorial duo Arab Nasser and Tarzan Nasser, who won best director in Cannes Un Certain Regard this year for their latest film, “Once Upon A Time In Gaza.”

The letter references the deaths of nearly 250 Palestinian media workers since the start of the conflict and stresses that cultural institutions cannot remain detached.

“As the spotlight turns on the Venice Film Festival, we’re in danger of going through yet another major event that remains indifferent to this human, civil, and political tragedy,” it reads. “‘The show must go on,’ we are told, as we’re urged to look away — as if the ‘film world’ had nothing to do with the ‘real world.’

“For once, the show must stop. We must interrupt the flow of indifference and open a path to awareness.” It concludes: “There is no cinema without humanity.”

In response, the Biennale said the festival “has always been, throughout their history, places of open discussion and sensitivity to all the most pressing issues facing society and the world.”

It pointed to works in the lineup such as “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s competition entry about the killing of a 5-year-old Palestinian girl in Gaza in 2024.


Bands pull out of UK festival following Palestinian flag controversy

Updated 24 August 2025
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Bands pull out of UK festival following Palestinian flag controversy

  • Incident sparks wave of boycotts from other performers

LONDON: Several bands withdrew from a British festival on Saturday following claims that Irish folk group The Mary Wallopers had their set cut short for displaying a Palestinian flag.

The incident sparked a wave of boycotts from other performers in solidarity, it was reported on Sunday.

The Last Dinner Party, Cliffords, and The Academic announced that they would no longer perform at the annual Victorious Festival in Portsmouth, citing concerns over political censorship.

Rock band The Last Dinner Party described the incident as “outrageous” and said they could not condone silencing artists.

“As Gazans are deliberately plunged into catastrophic famine after two years of escalating violence, it is urgent and obvious that artists use their platform to draw attention to the cause,” the band said in a statement shared on Instagram.

They urged fans to support Palestinian medical charities and apologized to those hoping to see them perform.

The Mary Wallopers claimed the festival released a “misleading statement” by suggesting their set was cut due to a discriminatory chant, rather than the band’s call to “Free Palestine.”

They released video footage showing a crew member removing the flag from the stage before the sound was cut.

“The same crew member is later heard saying ‘You aren’t playing until the flag is removed’,” the band added.

The Academic said they could not “in good conscience” perform at a festival that silenced free speech, while Cliffords said they “refuse to play if we are to be censored for showing our support to the people of Palestine.”

Festival organizers initially said The Mary Wallopers’ microphones were turned off after displaying the flag, citing a long-standing policy against flags for safety and event management reasons.

They said: “We spoke to the artist before the performance regarding the festival’s long-standing policy of not allowing flags of any kind at the event, but (we said) that we respect their right to express their views during the show.”

They acknowledged, however, that the policy was not communicated sensitively and apologized for the way the situation was handled.

They added: “The Mary Wallopers are a fantastic band, and we were very much looking forward to their performance on Friday.

“We are in the business of putting on great shows, not cutting them off, and this is the last thing we wanted — for the band, their fans and ourselves.”

Organizers also pledged to make a “substantial donation” to humanitarian relief efforts for Palestinians.

The festival’s closing day on Sunday was set to feature Kings of Leon, with Bloc Party, Gabrielle, and The Reytons among the other acts scheduled to perform.