10 pieces to snap up below Dh13,000 in Art Dubai

As the 12th edition of Art Dubai unfolds midweek, (on Wednesday, March 21), we revisit the notion that collecting art pieces is just for the privileged few. We disagree that it’s only for those who can afford private jet jaunts from art fair to art fair collect pieces for one of many homes... For the hoi polloi, art fairs are places to go and admire art, from a distance. Not true! Welcome to Art Dubai.

Being the largest art fair in the region, there are 105 galleries from 48 countries taking part in Art Dubai. Diversity has always been key to this art fair — in terms of prices (from affordable to extravagant) as well as its global reach. The most affordable piece at the show is priced at around USD500 while others can go up to over seven figures. With an expected footfall of over 28,000 visitors, obviously not everyone who comes to catch this edition can afford to spend the big bucks. Fair director Myrna Ayad says, “One can acquire works by emerging artists in the couple of hundred dollars range. The fair is a platform for discovery, where trends are set and where artists’ careers are launched onto the world stage.”

The event starts on Wednesday, March 21, and closes on Saturday, March 24 at the Madinat Jumeirah. The whole city starts celebrating art this week — from the halls at Alserkal Avenue right up to the restaurants and galleries of DIFC. So there is plenty to see, but you might even consider doing a bit of shopping yourself. Dubai’s Faiza Ragoonwala, a well-known patron of the arts, is flying to Art Dubai from TEFAF Maastricht, which just concluded in The Netherlands. Also a regular at Frieze, Faiza has attended all 12 editions of Art Dubai. Says she, “Its a young fair and a great platform for both middle eastern and contemporary art. It’s a very social fair with fun events attached which makes it unique and special.”

So it might be worthwhile keeping an open mind. Of course, you have to have done your research. While the first rule of buying art is to invest in a piece you love — do remember, this one is an investment.

For first time collectors, we have made a shortlist of the more affordable collectible pieces. These 10 pieces are showing at Art Dubai and they all cost under Dh13,000 — a price that could be considered a bargain in the world of fine art!

Victor Ekpuk Tafeta, London Behind the Mask, There’s A story 2, 2017 Ink on handmade paper 64.8x49.5 cm

Yamini Nayar Gallery Wendi Norris, San Francisco Untitled (Eclipse), 2017 Lightjet print 27.9x35.6 cm

Cinthia Marcelle Vermelho Galeria, Sao Paulo Capítulo 4 — from the series Secession: The Tempest, 2014 Graphite pencil Cretacolor Monolith 6B on offset paper 63gr 33x27 cm each

Saskia Pintelon Saskia Fernando Gallery, Colombo Untitled 18, 2017 Collage and mixed media on pages from the Book Book of of Faces Faces publication, 30.5x21.5 cm

Lu Chao Rosenfeld Porcini Gallery, London Balance No. 3, 2017 Watercolour on paper 23x31cm

Setareh Shahbazi Gypsum Gallery, Cairo Soft Corner I, Edition: 3+1 AP 2016 Pigmented ink print on rice paper, framed 32x25 cm

Andrea Salvino Katharina Maria Raab Galerie, Berlin Untitled, 2017 Mixed media on old books 30x50 cm

Philip Mueller Carbon 12, Dubai Tiberio Guest Julia, 2017 Oil on canvas 70x60 cm

Muzzumil Ruheel Canvas Gallery, Karachi Found Found him him everywhere everywhere except… except… 2018 Ink and acrylics on wasli paper 50x66 cm

Masanori Handa Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo / Singapore Nakakiyo Nakakiyo no no entatakukei, entatakukei, 2016 Watercolour, oil pastel on paper 75x75cm