Young Collectors’ Auction

This home-grown sale is a good starting point for any collector and is representative of the local scene at the moment. The ‘young’ in the title refers to your age as a collector: you can be a fresh art buyer at the age of 90. Average prices have risen since the inaugural auction last year, when pieces sold for anything from Dhs2,000 to Dhs22,000; you’ll now need at least Dhs7,000 to play with. However, prices are still cheap compared with other auctions, and the starting estimates are often 30 per cent lower than you’d find at a gallery.

Key works are up for grabs: as an example of the investment potential at this auction, works by Syrian artist Khaled Takreti were sold for Dhs3,500 this time last year, but this year they sit at a lowest estimate of Dhs9,000. The pieces will be on display on April 28 and 29 if you want a preview. This isn’t a stuffy auction, so you can turn up at 6pm on April 30 and register for a paddle (you can also make absentee, silent and phone bids). Expect a fun vibe with nibbles and drinks.
Ayyam Gallery, Friday April 30, 6pm, See www.ayyamgallery.com for details.