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ArtDubai

by Sylvain Gaillard

Who Is Buying Art In Dubai? Inside the Evolving Tastes Of UAE Collectors

10 Jun 2025

Photo: Anh Xuân

Opera Gallery has been operating in Dubai since 2008, and over the years, it has accumulated a solid amount of hard data, as well as a general sense of collector profiles in the region. Sylvain Gaillard, Director at Opera Gallery Dubai, shares insights into how collector profiles in the UAE have evolved.
People visiting the region for the first time are often curious to understand the profile of collectors here, and how various institutions within the art ecosystem are catering to them.
I must say, from the very beginning, the collector profile in the region has reflected the diversity of the population, and it has remained fairly consistent to this day.
Thanks to the range of artworks we are able to offer, the gallery has always catered to three distinct subsets of collectors. Each group buys different types of works, at different price points, and with different frequencies. While this may sound complex from a business perspective, it has actually been a blessing in disguise, giving us a natural hedge and allowing us to operate with more agility.
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Photo: Jimmy De Paris

Expats
For the longest time, our most prominent collector group has been the expats living in Dubai. The region has always attracted professionals from around the world, and with them came distinct cultural perspectives and approaches to collecting. For many expats, collecting here was simply a continuation of how they collected back home. This group includes both seasoned collectors and first-time buyers.
What is particularly interesting is that, in the early years, the perception of being “transient” in the region led many to buy at lower price points. Collectors would often tell us that the more serious pieces were meant for “back home,” while others were added to what they called their “UAE collection.” This mindset has evolved over time. Today, more and more people view the region as home, and this shift has changed the way they collect.
Emirati collectors
The second subset is Emirati collectors. While their preferences, in terms of medium, style, and purchase rhythm, differ from expats, they have always been a strong base and an essential pillar of our business.
Others
And then, of course, there are those who are simply passing through. The region’s polarity continues to attract people visiting for business or leisure, many of whom are curious to explore the UAE’s cultural landscape. We often find ourselves engaging with unique (and fascinating) collectors, and adjusting to their particular tastes and expectations.
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Instagram: @operagallery

What has changed over the years is not so much the categories themselves, but the growing sophistication within each of them. Collectors today are more informed, more aware of the market, and the conversations we have with them are very much on par with what you would expect in other major art hubs around the world. They are more attuned to the artist’s background, the context of the work, and how it fits within their overall collection.
Another key evolution is the emergence of institutional buyers, foundations, public spaces, and organizations now looking to integrate art into their offering. Some do it because it is central to their mission; others because they have recognised the cultural and strategic value of owning and displaying art.
It is incredibly rewarding to operate in a market that is maturing, where collector profiles mirror the pulse of the region and reflect the growth, ambition, and depth of the art scene here in the UAE.