From masterworks by some of Egypt, Syria and Iran’s most celebrated artists to contemporary pieces from emerging talents, there is something compelling for every collector at the Christie’s auction

The auction will take place on October 23 and is included as part of the rich and traditional Islamic Art Week in London.

Works have been consigned from around the globe, including Los Angeles, New York, London, Dubai, Paris, Beirut, Buenos Aires, Milan, Perth, Casablanca, among others, said Christie's.

The auction is mainly focused on modern Arab and Iranian works, with an emphasis on contemporary practice. Strong modern artists from the region include Louay Kayyali (Syrian), Manoucher Yektai (Iranian), Ismail Shammout (Palestinian), Fateh Moudarres (Syrian), as well as a strong selection of modern female artists, including Bibi Zogbé (Lebanese), Chaïbia Talal (Moroccan), Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian (Iranian), Zeinab Abd El Hamid (Egyptian), Tahia Halim (Egyptian).

Contemporary artists include Farhad Moshiri (Iranian), Hadieh Shafie (Iranian), Marwan Sahmarani (Lebanese), Reza Derakshani (Iranian), and Ali Banisadr (Iranian).

“A diversity of mediums, subject matter, geographies, and sale estimates characterise Christie’s third Middle East art sale in London, providing a global platform for art and artists from this ever-evolving region,” said Hala Khayat, Christie’s Director and Head of Sale in the Middle East.  “From masterworks by some of Iran, Egypt, and Syria’s most celebrated artists to contemporary pieces from emerging talents, there is something compelling for every collector.”

The auction highlights are: A work by the late Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian (1924-2019); a group of five works by the Palestinian modernist Ismail Shammout (1930-2006); an untitled work by Hadieh Shafie (b. 1969); Louay Kayyali’s Portrait of Umayma Hussein Ibish; and an outstanding abstract example by the Iranian modern artist Sohrab Sepehri (1928-1980).