Maliha Tabari and Ahmed Nashaat’s collection is rooted in personal journeys and a commitment to preserving the authentic narratives emanating from the MENA region through art. Featuring more than 200 works, the collection captures pivotal moments in the region’s history—from social movements and technological advancements to shifts in power and globalisation—tracing the evolution of MENA art from the 1970s to the present day. Each piece reflects a shared belief that artists are powerful narrators of their time, capturing specific moments in space and history that the collection seeks to preserve. It features works by artists from diverse backgrounds, including diaspora artists, offering a broad spectrum of perspectives across various disciplines, from works on paper and canvas to monumental installations.
Maliha Tabari’s passion for collecting was sparked in the late 1990s through studio visits to influential figures such as Hussain Madi and Adam Henein when she was a fresh graduate in her twenties. These formative experiences not only inspired her to start her personal collection but also led to the establishment of Tabari Artspace, her gallery committed to pioneering MENA artists.
Maliha and Ahmed’s collection includes modernist works by artists including Hussein Madi, Suleiman Mansour, and Parviz Tanavoli, in addition to contemporary pieces by Farhad Moshiri, Ahmed Mater, and Hazem Harb among others. In recent years, the couple has focused on championing a new generation from the MENA region, acquiring works by emerging Emirati figures such as Maitha Abdalla and Hashel Al Lamki. Their collection captures the evolution of the region's art trajectory and reflects a commitment to advancing the voices of contemporary artists, thus it unites the past and future of MENA art.
