Working Wonders: Meagan Kelly Horsman, Christie's Middle East's managing director – in pictures
Meagan Kelly Horsman is managing director of Christie's Middle East, handling rare and extravagant artworks in its gallery in Dubai's DIFC. All photos: Leslie Pableo / The National
The 38 year old from Britain has sent everything from modern Middle Eastern paintings to ancient pashmina carpets under the hammer
Ms Horsman has always been interested in art and took her first job in London at Bonhams as an auction office administrator after an art history degree at the University of Glasgow
Now, Ms Horsman specialises in modern and contemporary art from the Arab world, North Africa and Iran
She visits auctions around the world and bids on behalf of Christie's clients, which she says is fast-paced and exhilarating
Ms Horsman says one of the most exciting aspects of her role is stumbling across a Damien Hirst or a Pablo Picasso in the UAE
Andy Warhol's 1964 portrait of Marilyn Monroe was sold at auction in New York for $195 million in May 2022, and Ms Horsman said being part of something so monumental was amazing
Ms Horsman's favourite peices include monumental works by Anish Kapoor and Damien Hirst, vibrant neons by Tracy Emin and Mona Hatoum, and Arab modernist masterpieces by Jewad Selim and Shakir Hassan Al Said
The managing director also enjoys visiting private collectors and friends' homes, where in 14 years of working in the UAE, she has helped them find unique pieces
One of the misconceptions of auctioneering, Ms Horsman says, is people assuming it's all bashing a hammer and shouting 'sold'
Ms Horsman says it's not unusual for her to be up at 3am bidding on a rare piece of modern art, since her clients are from all over the world
