Artwork from Zidoun-Bossuyt Gallery.

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

 Zidoun-Bossuyt Gallery, leaders in introducing some of the most influential Afro-American artists to Paris and Luxembourg, unveiled its exclusive stand-alone gallery at Jumeirah Street 3, Umm Suqueim, Dubai, on March 7.

On the occasion, a pool of artists from different generations and cultures reflecting the gallery’s diverse programme, are showcasing their work. They include Noel W Anderson, Yashua Klos, Tomokazu Matsuyama, Jayson Scott Musson, Jeff Sonhouse, Summer Wheat (all USA), Martine Feipel and Jean Bechameil (Luxembourg), Louis Granet (France), John Madu (Nigeria), Mustafa Maluka (South Africa) and Thomas Zitzwitz (Germany), among others.

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Having participated in the Middle East’s leading international art fair, Art Dubai, for five years, Zidoun-Bossuyt has now decided to expand to Dubai - a hub for artists to grow in a diversified and multi-cultural ambience — aiming to reinforce its strong international positioning in the art world and to attract a new regional clientele. Anderson is a New-York based artist famous for his tapestries and manipulated images; Madu is a Nigerian multi-disciplinary artist known for his figurative symbolic style of paintings; Matsuyama is New-York based and is celebrated for interweaving the canons of the East and West. New York-based Summer Wheat is best known for her vibrant paintings, multifaceted sculptures and immersive installations, among others.

In 2013, Nordine Zidoun and Audrey Bossuyt joined forces to form Zidoun-Bossuyt, which reflects well their respective origins and experiences.

Zidoun first opened an art gallery in Paris and moved it to Luxembourg in 2008. Bossuyt is a former independent art adviser, who started her career in the art world by working at the Xavier Hufkens Gallery in Brussels for six years, before providing art advisory services in London.

 Nordine Zidoun (left) and Audrey Bossuyt.

In 2015, the gallery moved to an old townhouse at 6 Rue St Ulric in the historical Grund area of Luxembourg. The new art space allowed an expanded exhibition programme and additional representation of a number of artists such as Danny Fox, Jayson Musson and Summer Wheat. Zidoun is French, Bossuyt is Belgian, and they converged in Luxembourg to share their passion and experience in the contemporary art world. They are now celebrating the opening of their first Middle East regional gallery in Dubai. Zidoun-Bossuyt Gallery is known for having introduced some of the most influential Afro-American artists to Luxembourg at a time when they were still relatively unknown.

They include Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Wangechi Mutu, Jeff Sonhouse and Terry Adkins. The Luxembourg gallery organises six exhibitions a year alongside its contemporary programme, and holds one historical show every two years.

The first show was dedicated to Jean-Michel Basquiat in 2016. In 2017, the gallery organised the first historical show of Jean Dubuffet in Luxembourg, featuring more than 50 works of the artist.

In 2019, the gallery organised a Keith Haring show. The exhibitions were held under the patronage of the Prime Minister and Minister of Culture of Luxembourg. Perrotin has also announced the opening of a new gallery in Dubai. Already present in six cities — Paris, Hong Kong, New York, Seoul, Tokyo and Shanghai — the gallery is expanding its reach with the opening of the new permanent address the Middle East with its space in DIFC, Dubai.

Perrotin Dubai will be operated by both Perrotin Primary Market and Perrotin Secondary Market, founded by Tom-David Bastok, Dylan Lessel and Emmanuel Perrotin.

The gallery’s location, in the heart of Dubai, is not far from Christie’s and Sotheby’s auction houses and other art galleries, and close to many of the city’s renowned restaurants and landmarks. The new 100-square-metre space will present primary market works by artists represented by the gallery, alongside secondary market works — a recently launched and successful business that continues to grow. Perrotin Dubai will formally open its doors later this year, once development works are completed. The new gallery hopes to create connections and strengthen Perrotin’s ties with the Arab world, developed over many years. It hopes to promote local, regional and international artists through participation in events such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi Art Fairs, or with large-scale projects such as Murakami-Ego at Al Riwaq in Doha or Jean-Michel Othoniel’s ALFA installation at the National Museum of Qatar.

“Dubai is six hours by plane from two-thirds of the world’s population, and a highly dynamic city that is attracting a new audience,” says Emmanuel Perrotin. “We are always keen to bring our artists’ voices to audiences who do not always have the opportunity to engage with their work. The whole region is developing projects around art, and we want our artists to be able to participate in them.” “We are thrilled to be expanding the gallery’s secondary market business in Dubai, and more broadly in the Middle East. Dubai is a very exciting and promising place for the art market and for culture in general, and we are happy to be part of this adventure,” say Tom-David Bastok and Dylan Lessel.

Perrotin has expanded its mission in recent years, most notably through the production of editorial content such as podcast and video, as well as developing a programme calendar, which includes panel discussions, education workshops for children, and concerts.

The gallery also publishes catalogues and editions and offers goodies, available in its bookstores.