Issue 4-5

This issue we visit two art patrons: Hawaii’s Doris Duke and Armenian Calouste Gulbenkian, whose collection is now housed at the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian in Lisbon. We also explore Berlin’s Pergamon Museum and London-based gallery Waterhouse & Dodd. This autumn’s Islamic, Modern and Contemporary Arab art sales can be found in London at Sotheby’s and Bonhams, Philips de Pury’s and in Dubai at Christie’s fifth set of auctions. In addition, Abu Dhabi plays host to the Christie’s-organised Best of the Best at Emirates Palace Hotel. Commemorating Islamic art throughout this issue, we uncover an 800-year-old manuscript that celebrates the holy Month of Ramadan. For our artist features, we meet Lebanese master calligrapher Samir Sayegh, Jordan’s enigmatic Mona Hatoum and the sculptures of Syrian Mustafa Ali whose prolific career has led to his development of an artistic district in Damascus. Also profiled are the alluring mirror artworks by Iranian legend Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian. Finally, don’t miss our double feature this issue on Lebanese artist Nadine Kanso’s photography and her calligraphic jewellery line Bil Arabi.