FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York City, NY (November 05, 2014) - Sheikha Al Mayassa the former first lady of Qatar, patron of artists andchairperson Qatar Museums recently went on an art shopping spree in late October adding numerous New York artists to her contemporary Western art collection. Among her latest acquisitions are Andy Warhol Marilyn Monroe prints, Jean Basquiat works, Keith Haring prints, Asja Jung painting, a work by Lana Cheng, film installation by Marko Stout, Nola Wren works and pieces for many other New York artists.

Sheikha Al Mayassa is the Chairperson of Qatar Museums, whose CEO Edward Dolman previously served as Chairman of Christie's International, and responsible for cultivating significant cultural events in the region.

Mayassa has been profiled extensively in the NY Times.When asked by “ArtReview” about why she started collecting work by so many prominent western artist, she said: "We don't want to be all the same, but we do want to understand each other."

Sheikha Al Mayassa is also Chairperson of the Doha Film Institute which partnered with the Tribeca Film Festival to produce several annual iterations of the Doha Tribeca Film Festival. In February 2013, they announced a $100 million feature film fund with Participant Media, a production company founded by billionaireJeffrey Skoll.

Al Mayassa as not directly commented on why she is currently purchasing so much New York art. However, many in the art community are speculating that here Qatar Museum is planning to premier a large exposition of New York City art as part of their expanding contemporary Western art collection.

Her previous contemporary art purchases haveincludedMark Rothko's White Center (Yellow, arkostoutPink and Lavender on Rose) in 2007 for $70 million, a Damien Hirst pill cabinet for $20 million and works by Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Francis Bacon.

Sheikha Al Mayassa staged major exhibitions in Qatar with Takashi Murakami, Richard Serra and Damien Hirst (underwriting his exhibit first at the Tate Modern prior to opening in Doha). The Sheikha oversees a vast array of museums including the I. M. Pei designed Museum of Islamic Art, Doha.

Contact:
New York Arts
Zack Cohen 214 E. Third Street,
New York, NY 10012
Ph.: +1-212-614-1632
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://newyorkarts.com/

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