There’s always something to celebrate in the world of Richard Mille, and this month, the Swiss watchmaking brand unveils the very first edition of its Artbook series, Art in the Gulf: A Richard Mille Artbook. The limited-edition bilingual book was compiled in celebration of The Richard Mille Art Prize and the Art Here 2021 exhibition, and offers readers a close-up view of the region’s vibrant art world, with a focus on contemporary art in the GCC.
Photo: Courtesy Richard Mille
Why an artbook? Look back at Richard Mille’s history and you’ll find that beauty resides in every facet of the brand’s identity. The new book, therefore, only honors this code, creating a strong bond between the visual and horological arts that Richard Mille has dedicated itself to for years. For art enthusiasts, the book serves as an absolute must-have thanks to its detailed breakdown of the history of GCC’s art scene, split between the artistic communities of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. The book also spotlights some of the biggest artistic accomplishments in the region, and its cover may just count as one on the list. Lovingly made by Khor Fakkan-born Emirati artist Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, the cover of Art in the Gulf: A Richard Mille Artbook deserves a spot in your living room, and depicts the Art Here 2021 exhibition’s theme of “Time, Memory, Territory”. The artist features in the book, of course, along with ellow contemporaries such as Faisal Alkheriji, Hazem Harb, Zahra Alghamdi, Ali Cha’aban and El Seed. Bonus: the book also takes its readers into the homes of the region’s most noteworthy art collectors.
Photo: Courtesy Richard Mille
Spanning across painting, installation, technology, photography and sculpture, Art in the Gulf: A Richard Mille Artbook aims to give the Richard Mille family a 360 degree understanding of the contributions made in the region by 31 GCC-based artists, along with the seven finalists of the Richard Mille Art Prize 2021. Throughout its pages, you will also find yourself enjoying commentary by six of the Gulf region’s most eminent art collectors and patrons. What’s more, in an effort to build on the partnership between Richard Mille and Louvre Abu Dhabi, Art in the Gulf: A Richard Mille Artbook also gives away a hint at what the theme of the second season of the Richard Mille Art Prize may just be. Are you ready to crack the code?
Photo: Courtesy Richard Mille
