Taymour Grahne Projects, the London-based contemporary art gallery known for its sharp program of emerging talent, is planting its flag in Dubai. In September, the gallery will open a permanent 2,000-square-foot space in Alserkal Avenue, the UAE’s prominent gallery neighborhood and cultural hub.
The enterprises expansion into the Middle East represents a new chapter for the gallery as it celebrates its 12th anniversary. Founded in New York in 2013 and now operating out of London, Taymour Grahne Projects has carved a niche with its globally minded programming and long-standing relationships with artists from the MENA region and its diasporas. The gallery’s roster bridging Middle Eastern and international artists includes Daniele Genadry, Amy Lincoln, Ala Younis, and Mikey Yates.
“Opening a permanent space in Alserkal Avenue feels like a homecoming,” said founder Taymour Grahne, who was partially raised in Lebanon and has worked extensively in the region, in a press release.
The inaugural show will be a solo presentation of new works by American painter Gail Spaien, who is known for meditative compositions of interiors and landscapes.
The expansion is more than symbolic as there has been increased interested in the Gulf region in the past year as local museums and biennials are gaining momentum. Dubai has itself become an important crossroads for contemporary art, particularly for its potential as a commercial hub. “We’re pleased to welcome Taymour Grahne,” said Alserkal Avenue director Basmah El-Bittar, calling it a sign of Dubai’s “fast-growing art scene.”
