The Iranian-born artist Malekeh Nayiny reflects on her new, freer, post-Covid approach to artThe Coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on many artists working today, from choice of subject matter to practical issues. Yet unlike most, Malekeh Nayiny, a Paris-based artist of Iranian descent, experienced the rollercoaster ride of...

As the founders of Carré d’Artistes Lebanon and the network’s first franchise in the Middle East, Maria and Maissa Fatte are playing a key role in reaffirming the gallery’s philosophy of democratising artWhat can you tell us about the Carré d’Artistes’ philosophy?When Carré d’Artistes was launched in 2001, its founders had become disillusioned...

Nadya Shanab, manager of Ubuntu, explains how taking risks by giving emerging and lesser-known talent a platform is a key part of the art gallery’s philosophyNadya Shanab with Omar Gabr's doorThe founders of Ubuntu Art Gallery set out to push boundaries when they opened the two-storey space in Cairo to the public in 2014 and the list of artists...

Dr Weaam El Masry, co-founder of the Easel and Camera Gallery, talks to ArtScoops about how the art world has benefited from the pandemic-related trend to breathe new life into both indoor and outdoor living spaces Weaam El MasryWhile Covid-19 has taken its toll on much of the global art industry, the Easel and Camera Gallery has gone from...

Fadi Basbous, director of the Alfred Basbous Foundation, reflects on a year in which he hopes the region’s Modernists have inspired the next wave of artists, providing them with the strength to persevere. As has proved to be true for so many of us in 2020, the slower tempo of lockdown provided Fadi Basbous, Director of the Basbous Foundation,...

Marion Boehm’s current show titled ‘Embrace’ reveals the great affection and admiration she has for Africa – both its people and heritage – and acknowledges the wonderful welcome she received thereComing up with a title for a show is often a challenge for artists, given its significance on so many levels. However, when Marion Boehm chose the...

Fantastic selection of art showcased in fundraising sale for Armenian refugeesMany of us will remember how we celebrated special occasions in 2020, with Covid-19 having curtailed so many of our plans, but Lara Arslanian’s birthday, which fell on October 7, in the second week of the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict, will stay in her mind for an...

All-encompassing themes that resonate with audiences and a love for literature are what inspire the artist Sacha Abou Khalil Moving from dentistry to art is quite a leap! Did you paint when still working in the health industry?I’ve always loved painting; I used to paint on Sundays to unwind and that’s now my only day off, which shows just how...

Ahmad Minkara talks to Kamiar Maleki about how a combination of family wisdom and personal innovation paved the way for him to evolve from young collector to successful curator and art fair directorA cursory glance at the list of art collected by Kamiar Maleki and his parents over the decades reveals it to be as varied as, and perhaps reflective...