Jeddah Art Week, a major art exhibition, will feature highly sought-after masterpieces by some of today’s most celebrated artists from the region when it opens this weekend.

International auction house Sotheby’s is returning to the exhibition, which runs from February 1 to 6 at Al Fursiya in Jeddah, and will unveil a new exhibition of Contemporary art by both Middle Eastern and International artists prior to an April 2014 auction.

Highlighting this exhibition are two outstanding works by internationally acclaimed artist Damien Hirst as well as outstanding works by Ayman Baalbaki, Monir Farmafarmian and Havv Kharaman.

Lina Lazaar, Sotheby’s director, International Contemporary Art Specialist, said; “This year’s second edition of JAW - pronounced Jaou in Arabic, and translated as 'fun' in my native Tunisian dialect - has expanded to offer a more ambitious programme, with a focus on  supporting the burgeoning local arts scene whilst opening up its horizons to the global contemporary art world.”

“As such, Sotheby’s is mounting an exhibition of works that are not only of the highest calibre, but which showcase a diverse selection of the artistic styles that Middle Eastern artists are working in today alongside signature pieces by the world-renowned Damien Hirst.

“These artists are some of the most highly sought after of their generation and their outstanding works will make a distinct contribution to an event where the Kingdom's creative forces can unfold and inspire,” she added.

Jeddah Art Week (JAW) will launch its annual showcase at numerous locations throughout the city and centred at Al Fursiya.

JAW-2014 intends to build on the success of last year’s inaugural event, which saw attendance from over 1,500 visitors. – TradeArabia News Service