Issue 5-2

This issue we look at four artists whose work came out of the experience of war, destruction and its uneasy aftermath: Ayman Baalbaki, Emily Jacir, Timo Nasseri and Walid Raad. With art patron Jimmy Traboulsi we discuss the recent recession as he believes wearisome times may prove to be the ideal time to collect. Indeed cultural activities in the Middle East are on the rise, one of which is the current Unveiled exhibition at Saatchi Gallery in addition to the first Sotheby’s sale of Contemporary Turkish art. Even our very own correspondent, Lulu Al-Sabah has put together the recent exhibition Perspectives: Arab and Iranian Modern Masters in London and this March brings the third year of Art Dubai as well as the 9th edition of the Sharjah Biennial.