The Elie Khouri Art Foundation has commissioned Sumayya Vally’s Counterspace to convert a villa in Dubai into its permanent exhibition and education venue. The opening is expected in 2028. Early exhibitions will draw on Khouri’s collection, while director Caroline Louca plans talks and educational programmes involving the surrounding community.
The Elie Khouri Art Foundation, a contemporary art institution in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, has commissioned architect Sumayya Vally and her practice Counterspace to convert a villa in Jumeirah 1 into its permanent home. Opening is expected in 2028.[1], [2]
The villa was an Emirati family’s home in the 1980s. The renovation will retain elements of older Gulf architecture.[1]
The initial exhibitions will use Khouri’s personal collection, which holds work by more than 300 artists. Later exhibitions are intended to include more loans and collaborations. Khouri wants eventually to establish a foundation collection separate from his personal holdings. The programme will focus on global contemporary art, with Middle Eastern artists playing an important part.[1]
New director Caroline Louca previously worked at Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism and auction house Christie’s Middle East. She and Khouri plan to recruit curators closer to completion. Louca envisages talks, lectures and educational activities that involve the neighbourhood. Khouri began planning the institution around five years ago during a residency for collectors at London’s Delfina Foundation, when feasibility studies examined Dubai’s needs.[1]
