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MENA Art Market Soars: $17.3M Auction, Rising Female Artists

2/3/2026

36 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The MENA art market is growing with higher auction sales and international visibility, as Sotheby's auction house in Saudi Arabia raises $17.3 million.
Art Basel Qatar will launch in 2026, signaling regional expansion.
Iranian art sales declined while Lebanese, Egyptian, and Iraqi artists surged, including Nadia Ayari among those emerging artists.
Sales by women artists rose 34.6% in 2025, including Etel Adnan who achieved $2.54 million.

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Story summary

The MENA art market is growing with higher auction sales and international visibility, as Sotheby's auction house in Saudi Arabia raises $17.3 million.
Art Basel Qatar will launch in 2026, signaling regional expansion.
Iranian art sales declined while Lebanese, Egyptian, and Iraqi artists surged, including Nadia Ayari among those emerging artists.
Sales by women artists rose 34.6% in 2025, including Etel Adnan who achieved $2.54 million.