The Middle East is my favourite region: I love the people, their hospitality, the local cuisine and their art! After many visits to Beirut, Damascus, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai I came to realise that a lot of people in Europe and the rest of the world are still unfamiliar with art from this region. Since spectacular auctions took place in 2006, records are broken. The region is booming.

From Damascus to Dubai, from Beirut to Doha: art is hot and happening.
Art Dubai, Abu Dhabi art fair are events not to be missed. The Middle East,North African,South Asian art fair (MENASART) held in Beirut last year was a big hit.

Doha’s Modern Arab art museum opened it’s doors in 2010. With the opening of satellites of the Louvre  Abu Dhabi (2016) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi (2017) on the Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi the region will be a major player in the international art scene.

The rapid evolution of Middle Eastern contemporary art is boosted by the easiness of web communication, the development of new media,important publications and new collectors.
With my gallery, ME Art Gallery Amsterdam, I want to try to get this region in the picture from an artistic point of view. With reviews of art fairs, personal impressions of auctions, interviews with artists, links etc. I hope the region gets the attention and appreciation which it deserves.

Sir Gerard Blijenberg
The Founder