PHOTO CREDIT: © Barjeel Art Foundation. Barjeel Art Foundation Founder Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi.
A passionate advocate for Arab art
There is no more passionate advocate for art in the Arab world than Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi. The Emirati curator, professor, and columnist is on a mission to share inspiring work from diverse artists and promote the contributions of women from the region.
In less than fifteen years, Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi has assembled one of the largest art collections in the Gulf region. His passion for modern and contemporary art began in Paris during the 1990s while he was studying business in the French capital and exploring its vibrant cultural scene.
A journey through Parisian museums
The aisles of the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay helped ignite his zeal for sharing Arab art with the broadest possible audience. Upon returning to the UAE, he started a private collection and, in 2010, founded the Barjeel Art Foundation—an initiative established to nurture and develop art in the Arab region. From a modest start with 40 artworks, the foundation now boasts 1,800 pieces and collaborates with hundreds of museums and institutions worldwide.
Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi uses art to open new apertures, showcasing the region’s creativity and plurality. “I realise that my goal in life should be a cultural one. Once you educate people about their culture, it allows them to be proud of themselves. It allows them to dream of better things in the future,” Sultan told The Dialogue.
Striving for gender parity
As a prominent figure in the art world, he is committed to advancing gender parity. His recent exhibit at the London-based auction house Christie’s, titled Kawkaba: Highlights from the Barjeel Art Foundation, showcased women and men equally.
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