Sotheby’s Hot Spots selling exhibition is a tribute to the UAE’s cultural landscape and the artists who continue to shape its evolving art scene. It offers collectors a rare opportunity to acquire distinctive works that explore themes of human movement, cultural identity, and globalisation. Showcasing artists from across the Middle East and North Africa, working across diverse disciplines, the exhibition fosters new dialogues between the gallery’s represented artists, bridging contemporary perspectives with heritage. Turning the spotlight onto both emerging and established artists, the exhibition presents their work not only to collectors in Dubai but also through Sotheby’s international platform. From the intricate hand-embroidered pieces of Margaux Derhy to Hashel Al Lamki’s Endless Love oil painting, Hot Spots is as much an exploration of cultural heritage as it is a celebration of individual artistic vision.
Running until 10 March, the exhibition marks the first collaboration between Tabari Artspace and The Third Line, offering a dynamic representation of the region’s artistic landscape. Acting as a platform for artists to share their stories and heritage with a wider audience, Hot Spots adopts a commercial vernacular, drawing from the language of travel marketing and the visual codes of advertising to reframe the way regional art is presented and perceived.
Exploring Identity, Movement, and Culture Through Art
Margaux Derhy – Déjà Magicienne (Already a Magician)
French-Moroccan artist Margaux Derhy’s work is a testament to the evolving language of contemporary embroidered art, born from a collaboration between the artist and ten women she trained in advanced embroidery techniques. Through meticulous craftsmanship, her embroidery achieves delicate variations in colour and texture, echoing the depth and complexity of painted surfaces. A defining feature of Derhy’s work is her use of blank faces, a deliberate choice that redirects focus towards posture, clothing, and spatial relationships. This approach invites deeper reflection on themes of identity, presence, and cultural belonging, positioning her practice within the broader discourse of contemporary Middle Eastern and North African art.
Beyond its aesthetic impact, Derhy’s work is a bridge between artistic tradition and social empowerment. By elevating embroidery to the realm of fine art while providing sustainable income for women with limited economic opportunities, she creates a dialogue that is both deeply rooted in heritage and globally relevant.
Hashel Al Lamki – Endless Love
Emirati artist Hashel Al Lamki engages with painting, sculpture, digital media, and large-scale public installations to explore the complexities of contemporary life. His work examines themes of migration, globalisation, and urbanisation, tracing the shifting relationship between people and the environments they inhabit. Sustainability is integral to his practice, reflected in his commitment to upcycling and the use of natural materials to minimise waste.
In Endless Love, Al Lamki turns his gaze to a significant landmark in Al Ain—the Tawam roundabout, home to its striking equestrian sculptures. Against a vivid red sky, a majestic horse rears, evoking both the power of nature and the artist’s deep connection to place. The red hues, reminiscent of Al Ain’s sunsets, lend the composition a timeless quality, merging memory, symbolism, and the ever-changing landscapes of the Emirates.
Almaha Jaralla – Focal Point (acrylic and oil on canvas)
Abu Dhabi-based Emirati visual artist Almaha Jaralla observes living environments in her works as highly personal portraits, placing the focus of her paintings and photographs upon the modern history of her native surroundings. Jaralla is deeply connected to the architectural vernacular of her environment, offering a nuanced perspective on the Gulf’s evolving landscape across different moments in time. Through a considered use of colour theory, she wonderfully moves through the intricate interplay of sociocultural dynamics and ancestral histories that have shaped her experience of homeland.
Hot Spots Exhibition Dubai – A Tribute to Middle East’s Cultural Mosaic
As a global leader in fine art, luxury, and culture, Sotheby’s has long been at the forefront of shaping artistic discourse. More than an auction house, it is a place of knowledge where specialists educate, inspire, and share their expertise on the extraordinary works that pass through its salerooms. The Dubai office, located in the heart of DIFC, embodies this ethos, offering a dynamic platform for curated exhibitions, private sales, events, and discussions that bring collectors and connoisseurs closer to the artists and visionaries defining today’s cultural landscape. Beyond the auction room, Sotheby’s Dubai plays a pivotal role in the region’s evolving art scene, championing artists from the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf. Its galleries serve as a gateway for cultural exchange, mapping the region’s artistic heritage while fostering dialogue and discovery. With a commitment to supporting artistic innovation, Sotheby’s is not merely an observer but an active participant in the creative ecosystem.
Bringing three centuries of expertise to Dubai, Sotheby’s has responded to the growing demand for Middle Eastern art by offering exhibitions, mentorship, and engaging programmes that nurture talent and elevate artistic expression. Hot Spots reflects this vision, presenting a diverse group of artists, each with a unique creative process and narrative. By providing a space where artists can share their stories and make their mark, Sotheby’s Dubai continues to shape the region’s cultural conversation and reinforce its position as a centre for artistic excellence.
