Syrian artists at Sotheby 's sale of arts of the Islamic world

Syrian born journalist, writer and publisher Mr. Riad a El-Rayyes began collecting Arab contemporary art in the 1960's when he worked as a foreign correspondent. His work took him on travels throughout the Arab world and brought him into contact with many contemporary Arab artists. He bought paintings directly from the artists, although some of the older works were found in established collections or small galleries in Beirut, Damascus and London.

The collection of Mr El Rayyes includes works by artists such as Louai Kayyali and Fateh Moudaress from Syria, Saliba Douaihy, Mustafa Farrukj, Paul Guiragossian and Chafic Abboud from Lebanon, Kazim Haidar, Ismael Fattah and Dia Azzawi from Iraq and Ramses Younan and Adam Henein from Egypt.

Works of these artists among others will be put at Sotheby's sale of Arts of the Islamic World which will include a section devoted exclusively to 20th century Middle Eastern Painting. The first international auction of its kind, it will take place on Thursday May 3, 2001 and is being held in recognition of the developing interests in contemporary art from the Arab world.

The sale will include works by artists from the Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Turkey. At the core of the sale is a group of paintings assembled over the last 30 years by Mr and Mrs. Riad El-Rayyes of the Lebanon, which includes many of the most famous and well-respected Arab artists of the 20th century. In addition the sale is distinguished by rare examples from the estate of the Turkish born artist, the late Princess Fahrelnissa Zeid.

Highlights from the El- Rayyes collection include Mustafa Farroukh's Ain Mraiseh ( Beirut) estimated to fetch 12,000 to 18,000 Sterling pound, Louai Kayyali's " the Player" estimated to fetch 10,000 to 15,000 Sterling pound and a striking work entitled " Oriental Window" by Dia Azzawi which has an estimate of 7,000 to 10,000 Sterling Pound.

The late princess Fahrelnissa Zeid was one of the most internationally celebrated women artists of the region, who enjoyed a long and distinguished career spanning more than 60 years. This is the first time that highly important works from her country have been included in an international auction.

Throughout her career, Princess Fahrelnissa's work blended the elements of Islamic and Byzantine art from the East with abstract and other influences from the West, translated in variety of mediums such as large oil paintings, collages and stained glass panels. In the 50 s and 60 s she was very much part of the Paris school. In the Sotheby's sale her monumental work " the fight of the Moon and the Astronaut" ( 1968) is shown. It is expected to fetch 15,000- to 25,000 Sterling Pound.