Close

Living with Art

Approach to collecting, displaying, and installing art at home.

“Art can bring statement, style, stories, light and discussion to a space,” explains Leyla Fakhr, founder of The Collectors’ Edition. “A great collection of art really will make your personal environment stand out from any other space and give it a special atmosphere that is hard to create through any other means.” An art collection is a personal statement that transforms a space into a reflection of those who occupy it. That is one of the greatest impetus to developing a collection of one’s own.

Works by steve Macleod and Liz Nielsen
Photo: Jason Larkin, Couresty: Black Box Projects

Art in gallerist Leila Heller’s Dubai residence

Red Mouse 4 by Gottfried Helnwein
Courtesy: Collectors Contemporary

Approaches

“There are no rules for displaying art,” states Alison Collins, founder of Dubai’s Majlis Gallery who encourages people to have confidence in their own feelings. While there are no rules, there are some inspiring approaches. Most important, according to several experts, is to choose works as much with your heart as with your brain, but to still allow yourself to take risks. Visiting galleries and exhibition such as Art Dubai help those new to collecting hone their tastes.

Galerie Mark Hachem Paris-Marais by artists Philippe Hiquily, Hussein Madi, Marino Di Teana
Courtesy: Gallerie Mark Hachem

Installation view of Elisabeth Wild’s exhibition Fantas as at Carbon 12
Copyright: Carbon 12 + The Artists

Care and Display

Art is an investment that demands special insurance, transportation and installation. Installation methods may involve mixing works by famous artists with those of unknowns, rotating pieces to spark new conversations or any other method that provides interest and cohesion.

Works by Liz Nielsen, Hendrik Kerstens and Julie Cockburn – Kathlene Fox-Davies’ home
Courtesy: Blackbox Projects

Solaris, Enso by Mira

Untitled (1976) by Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian

Courtesy: The Collectors Edition

Expert Advice

Experts recommend that art be collected as acts of love and passion. Research and knowledge about an artist or technique may increase your appreciation and pleasure. As important as acquisition is, protecting it with appropriate framing and installation is mandatory to preserve its integrity. Most of all, be inspired and enjoy your collection.

[row] [column width=”33%”]

Caixa 351 by Sérgio Sister
CourteSy: Galerie Emmanuel Hervé, Paris, France

[/column] [column width=”33%”]

The Velvet Sun 04 by tato akhalkatsishvili
Couresty: The Artist + Erti Gallery

[/column][column width=”33%”]

Time-Glass 3 by Farshad Farzankia
Courtesy: Farshad Farzanka + Andersen’s, Copenhagen

[/column][/row]

The Latest
identity Design Awards 2025 jury

Meet the judges for the identity Design Awards 2025

Five prominent designers have been selected to judge this year's milestone 11th annual identity Design Awards

Here are 14 Emirati women we admire in the design and creative industry

In honour of Emirati Women’s Day, we celebrate the visionary Emirati women in the industry that are pushing boundaries

Casa Cazaux

A Spanish Revival Reimagined in the Hollywood Hills

Casa Cazaux designed by Jordana Maisie Design Studio was inspired by Slim Aarons photography of post WWII Italian high society and Mediterranean-inspired coastal architecture

Kaskade by Karim Rashid for TREDEX Sara Group

TREDEX x Karim Rashid Introduce KASKADE

A Collection Where Flow Meets Form

identity Design Awards 2025 categories

identity Design Awards 2025 – The Categories

Here's a breakdown of the 21 categories we have for this year's identity Design Awards.

Vedra | Palm Jumeirah villa

Owning the Development Process

How Vedra, a Boutique Project Development Consultancy is Redefining Development in the UAE

Dual Key – A Game-Changing Concept for Owner/ Investors

Here's how you can become a landlord and live in your property at the same time.

Penthouse in Dubai Marina by Lulie Fisher Design Studio

A Penthouse Reimagined

Lulie Fisher Design Studio Completes a Penthouse in the Intercontinental Dubai Marina

KIRA entrance

The Design behind Kira at the Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab

Designed by acclaimed studio Verhaal, KIRA is inspired by the Lunaria plant.

Design Take: Fairmont Tazi Palace

OBMI and Katara Hospitality breathe new life into a 1920s royal residence, balancing heritage and modern luxury on the eucalyptus-clad slopes of Tangiers, Morocco.

Kiyoshi Dubai

Step inside Kiyoshi Dubai

Japanese craft meets contemporary design at Kiyoshi designed by Mahsa Gholizadeh

AlUla Design Residency

The AlUla Artist Residency Programme Returns for its Second Edition

The Design Residency programme 2025 also coincides with the Year of Handicrafts as designated by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Culture.