A Glimpse into a Leading International Art House
In conversation with Sylvain P. Gaillard, Director of Opera Gallery Dubai, it is unmistakable why Opera Gallery is a reference point in modern, post-war, and contemporary art. Founded in 1994, the gallery has grown to over 14 locations worldwide, including Paris, London, New York, Hong Kong and Dubai, blending a global perspective with a deep understanding of local markets.
At the heart of Opera Gallery’s ethos lies a genuine passion for artistic excellence. Throughout its history, Opera Gallery has championed American, European, and Asian artists, while remaining attentive to the evolving cultural landscape of the Middle East. The gallery presents works across all media — painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, photography, and video — cultivating the connections between emerging voices and established masters. Its roster includes international young and emerging talents, such as Andy Denzler, Fred Eerdekens, and Anthony James, alongside celebrated figures like Manolo Valdés, Fernando Botero, Juan Genovés, and André Brasilier. Opera Gallery also operates in the secondary market, having handled historically significant works by Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, Pierre Soulages, Alexander Calder, Jean Dubuffet, Fernando Botero and many others, combining connoisseurship with meticulous attention to quality and personalised service.
Interview:
What makes Opera one of the most respected galleries on the international art scene? What is the gallery’s distinctive element that sets it apart from others? With 14 locations worldwide, Opera Gallery is a major player in the modern, post-war, and contemporary art market and one of the largest galleries globally. We are active in both the secondary and primary markets; however, unlike many large galleries that built their presence on the primary market before entering the secondary market, we followed the opposite path. We have developed a strong expertise in the secondary market and are continuously expanding our presence in the primary market. We are also particularly attentive to the quality of the service and hospitality we provide, ensuring an exceptional experience for collectors, artists, and visitors alike.
How would you describe the current trends and demands of the global market? Can you highlight some differences between the UK and the UAE markets? The market has slowly rebounded from two years of softness. Auction results in New York (held during the tenure of the fair) are encouraging and setting a positive outlook for the next couple of months. From the gallery perspective, we have clearly observed a flight to quality. Blue chips and emerging artists are been consistently strong sellers for us, but the mid range has been more challenging. I believe it’s in line with global market conditions, which definitely affects collecting behaviors. The gallery is fully equipped to serve the full spectrum, we just had to make tweaks to our curation choices to ensure our relevancy in the market. The UK and the UAE market are almost polar opposite. The UK is a much more saturated market on all levels, and drastically more affected by current political and economical uncertainties. It’s stark contrast to the UAE market, which offers plenty of upside in the medium to long run, and is a lot more elastic vis a vis local tax regulations and other economic worries.
Opera Gallery already has a presence in Dubai — are there specific projects or strategies planned for Abu Dhabi? Abu Dhabi is a very promising and dynamic market, which we are observing closely. We are always attentive to new opportunities and remain eager to engage with the local art community. Since we are speaking about Abu Dhabi, we are particularly pleased about the launch of the Innovative FAB Art Platform in partnership with First Abu Dhabi Bank that was announced the 19 November.
Which artists or types of art are currently the main preferences of collectors in the UAE? It’s extremely difficult for us to answer this question because we serve a very wide array of collectors, with their own preferences, buying behavior and frequency. The only thing of statistical importance (when compared to our other galleries operating worldwide) is the above average appetite for sculptures in the region.
Are there any emerging local artists or collaborations that the gallery is particularly interested in for this region? Historically, our focus has been on American, European, and Asian artists, both in the modern and contemporary art. However, the gallery will be presenting a highly curated solo retrospective of Abdul Qader Al Rais in the first quarter of 2026, celebrating his remarkable contribution to art.
How do you select the artists you represent? We are constantly on the lookout for new artists. We have a dedicated selection committee that identifies and evaluates artists we are interested in working with. Ultimately, it comes down to a genuine passion for the work — we need to be captivated by their art and see strong potential for growth and development. Before officially representing an artist, we usually go through an intermediate stage, showcasing their work in a group exhibition or a dedicated solo show. This allows us to better understand their practice and ensure a meaningful collaboration.
Opera Gallery recently participated in Abu Dhabi Art. Which extraordinary masterpiece did it bring to the fair? The fair has established itself as one of the leading and most respected art fairs in the region, making it an important platform for us. Opera Gallery has been active in the Middle East since 2008, and we have a growing community of collectors in Abu Dhabi. Participating in the fair demonstrates our commitment to the region and is also a great way to connect with our collectors and meet new ones. Abu Dhabi Art is a prime opportunity to connect with key collectors and institutions in the region. While we engage with this market year-round, participating in this fair gives us the opportunity to engage with global collectors who have come specifically to experience the fair. The fair’s cultural programming and curated activations also help to create an environment where we can strengthen existing relationships with collectors and spark new ones
Do you have any special projects or collaborations planned for the near future? As I mentioned earlier, we will be presenting a curated solo exhibition of Abdul Qader Al Rais in Dubai at the beginning of 2026. Another very exciting project is the opening of a new gallery in Houston, also at the beginning of 2026.
By Katya Marletta