Once again, Sotheby’s became a house of good conversation. This time, together with the amazing Aisha Alabbar Gallery, the dialogue was focused on the evergreen theme of fathers and sons.

For context, Sotheby’s is one of the world’s most renowned and oldest auction houses, with a history that dates back to 1744. Being such an old institution that pioneers contemporary art, this conversation takes shape in a very different way.

This September, Aisha Alabbar Gallery and Sotheby’s Middle East come together to present Whispers of the Past, an exhibition that brings memory, heritage, and identity into dialogue through the practices of five remarkable artists. The show, running from September 11 to November 14, 2025, was opened with a Brunch Talk and gallery launch on September 11 at Sotheby’s gallery space in DIFC, Dubai.

The exhibition invites audiences to engage in a contemplative experience — one that doesn't demand attention with bold declarations but rather whispers through gestures, materials, and forms. Memory is the thread binding these works together, whether in the form of woven textiles, layered collages, or suspended installations. Each piece becomes a vessel of remembrance, echoing stories passed down through generations.

All the invited artists were gathered around the idea of remembering, preserving and passing the memories, myths, and ‘truths’ of the generations. Each explored such in their own way — Khalid Al Banna, Sara Al Haddad, Sara Aref Ahli, Dr. Najat Makki, Samar Hejazi.

Khalid Al Banna

A Sharjah-based contemporary artist, Al Banna is celebrated for his striking collages that grapple with themes of rapid change in the UAE. His black-and-white works weave together history, landscape, and personal memory, creating diaristic reflections of a nation in flux.

Reflecting on the notion of memories, Khalid mentioned — “My artworks are my memories. I am preserving the older memories in the modern reality using the graphic minimalist language.” Inspired by the simple, minimalist graphic shapes of traditional Arabic surroundings, Khalid creates something modern, yet nostalgic. Have a look at DIFC.

Sara Al Haddad

Known for her tactile installations using yarn, fabric, and crochet, Al Haddad explores emotional vulnerability and healing. By transforming domestic, traditionally feminine crafts into large-scale contemporary works, she challenges the boundaries between personal and public space.

In her speech, reflecting on the notions of memories, Sara mentioned — “I am letting go of my memories once the work is finished. While creating experiences and memories on a daily basis, the shape of my artworks speaks about how I want and don’t want to be seen. It's a marker of life. It talks about what is happening outside my studio. So indirectly, this is always the story about me.”

Sara Aref Ahli

An Emirati-Colombian artist working between Dubai and the U.S., Ahli creates interdisciplinary works across sculpture, glass, fashion, and installation. Her practice delves into memory, home, and the resilience of the body, often manifesting as “artistic archaeology” that excavates hidden interiors.

“Growing up with such heritage duality, and being this ‘in-between-human’ — I found myself in the duality of glass. Glass is liquid and solid at the same time. It’s a shapeshifter, just like I am. With this material I then am preserving the unseen labour that comes with it. More than that I am preserving my own body, imprinting my skin onto the art pieces, making the material ‘remember’ and ‘preserve’ my body and my physique at a given period of time”, — says Ahli, explaining her angle on the conversation of memories.

Through Whispers of the Past, Sotheby’s and Aisha Alabbar Gallery highlight the vibrant legacy of Emirati and regional artists, while creating a platform for intergenerational dialogue. Together, these exhibitions affirm art’s role as a vessel of memory — quietly yet powerfully shaping the stories we carry forward.