Muscat Daily Columnist

I know many people who buy art because they like to look at it, but I also know quite a few who buy art as an investment. Buying art is not a get-rich-quick scheme, but it’s one of the most enjoyable investments as you might have it on your wall for a while before you sell it for a profit. It’s always a gamble, yet, if done right, it can return huge dividends.

Since the beginning of the year I’ve been writing about contemporary art, art fairs, and various artists, but I never said anything about my own art. This time I’ve decided to write about my work and my upcoming exhibition 'Sublime and Ridiculous'. Some of the readers might accuse me of self-promotion, but I strongly believe that nobody would be able to explain my art better than myself.

She was a lady, proud and determined, yet kind and giving; always faithful, inspiring and caring. She touched everyone with special love and kindness. Even when her health was frail, her spirit remained strong. She gave all of herself and never asked for anything in return. She was one of a kind.

All art fairs look pretty much the same to me. Rows of brightly lit gallery spaces filled with beautiful and pleasing or provoking, and, at times, ugly artworks, with snobbish and intimidating gallerists who make you feel that you know nothing about art and never will. But some fairs are more fun than the others, and better organised. Frieze is probably one of them. 

Last Christmas I received a wonderful gift from a very special friend, a rather large book written by Saeb Eigner: Art of the Middle East. The author is a passionate advocate for the arts and education, governor of London Business School, a regular speaker on TV and radio, and a well known figure in the art world.