Dubai art museum scheduled to open in November

DUBAI // The collector Ramin Salsali has said the opening of his art museum, a milestone in the development of the city's cultural scene, will take place on November 13.

The Salsali Private Museum at Al Serkal Avenue, Al Quoz, will be the first museum of its kind in Dubai. The inaugural exhibition will feature pieces from Mr Salsali's collection of hundreds of contemporary works, and a section of the building has been set aside to enable other individuals and foundations to showcase their private collections.

While Dubai has a thriving commercial art gallery scene, Mr Salsali's venue is the first museum, offering art not for sale but for the patron's appreciation.

Mr Salsali, 45, an Iranian who divides his time between Dubai and Germany, works as a consultant in the petrochemical industry. He began collecting while in his 20s.

"I am interested in any type of art, I have not limited myself or focused myself," he said. "I've bought what I liked to buy, I never had a strategy."

His collection includes works by such Middle East artists as Sara Rahbar, Ala Dehghan, Anahita Razmi, Farzan Sadjadi, Fereydoun Ave and Reza Derakshani. Artists from beyond the region who are represented include Arman, Niki de Saint Phalle, Jonathan Meese, Meret Oppenheim, Daniel Richter and Daniel Spoerri.

Mr Salsali has twice been honoured in the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Patrons of the Arts Awards.

Salem Belyouha, director of projects at the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said: "The inauguration of Mr Salsali's art museum signifies how creative ventures play an instrumental role in energising the arts scene."

csimpson@thenational.ae

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