Contemporary Middle Eastern Art is the fastest growing market in the UK. Despite the downturn in the global economy, interest in the Middle East and the events shaping the Arab Spring, has never been stronger and the emergence of new artists represents an exciting opportunity to discover fresh talents and to participate in a new and culturally different aesthetic.

Here are just some of the many events to follow.

The British Museum’s Hajj Exhibition Journey to the Heart of Islam is the first truly comprehensive survey of this unique annual event. From 26^th January to 15^th April 2012 it is not to be missed.

Further afield, this month’s news features Australia.  Firstly focusing on the Adelaide Festival from 2nd to 18th March 2012 which includes the work of Lebanese artist Rabih Mroué and Iranian Jinoos Taghizadeh and secondly, the State Library of Victoria’s conference on 14^th to 16^th April 2012 in conjunction with its exhibition devoted to Love and devotion: Persian Cultural Crossroads.

This year’s 2012 Abraaj Capital Art Prize winners have now been announced and our congratulations go to Taysir Batniji (Palestine), Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige (Lebanon), Wael Shawky (Egypt), Risham Syed (Pakistan) and Raed Yassin (Lebanon).  Additionally, Nat Muller (The Netherlands) has been chosen as guest curator to supervise the production of the artworks, which will be unveiled in March 2012 at Art Dubai.

Still in Dubai, we are very much looking forward to this year’s edition of Magic of Persia’s Magical Nights.  Spread over three days, from 21^st to 23^rd March 2012 it includes a spectacular fundraising event in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan.

Want to know more about us?  Read acclaimed writer and curator Dr Paula Christa’s interview with Janet Rady in the September 2010 issue of The Middle East in London.

Janet Rady Fine Art now stocks Canvas Magazine, Contemporary Practices, Harpers Bazaar Art and Art Tomorrow. Please contact us to obtain a copy.