A gallery founder from the Middle East has described art as an essential force for unity, particularly amid the ongoing tensions in the region.

Despite the simmering geopolitical instability, Rarares Gallery - based in Dubai - has returned to Art Central in Hong Kong this year.

Founder Marina Baisel framed the gallery’s participation as an act of artistic conviction, navigating logistical hurdles to present works that speak directly to the contemporary global climate.

"We make it here in Hong Kong, in Art Central, which was not the smoothest and the easiest way in the current situation," she told RTHK, acknowledging the difficulties of operating against a backdrop of regional instability.

However, she noted that the foundation for their showcase was laid long before the recent escalations.

"When we do curating, curating is finished at the beginning of the year, probably like mid-January, beginning of the February. So by now, everything was done up front," she said.

For Baisel, this persistence is a testament to the role of art in turbulent times.

"Probably this is the power of art, to be on the edge in every single situation and to have a strong position, to implement a lot of things that are hiding behind and hiding inside of us," she said.

When asked whether the conflict has altered how institutions, curators and audiences interpret or request works, Baisel confirmed a shift.

"I believe so, yes. We cannot close our eyes and say that nothing affected us," she said.

She said that the gallery’s home base in Dubai has fostered a strong sense of community resilience.

"We really appreciate how people around, how the community is dealing with the situation. People are really getting together, all the institutions, people getting strong. People believe in goodwill," she said.

She added that this solidarity is bolstered by institutional support.

"We have a lot of support also coming from government side and from officials. So it was a difficult way, but I believe and the artists that we are here, we believe all together that everything will be finished very soon and everything will be settled out to the best to all of us," she said.

A centrepiece of Rarares’ presentation at Art Central is the work of Elnaz Javani, an Iranian-American artist who serves as the gallery’s headliner.

Baisel highlighted Javani’s new project, titled The Fall, as a prime example of art’s ability to communicate complex truths without words.

"She strongly believed in the power of her roots," Baisel said of the artist.

"When you look at it, I don’t think there needs anything to be explained. I mean, everything is pretty much clear, and this is the true power of art to say by itself.”

Looking ahead, Baisel predicts that the current tensions will inevitably influence the direction of the art market.

While she noted that pricing has not yet been directly impacted, she believes curatorial focus will shift.

"The curation, the focus will be definitely on the local market," she said.

"As my point of view, we’ll be in supporting local artists a lot, and I think this is the right way to do it."



Edited by Thomas McAlinden