The Farjam Collection in DIFC

Why it is on the list

Dr Farjam has spent more than 50 years building the collection, and its catalogue, edited by Sheila Canby, Venetia Porter, Sarah Rogers and Nada Shabout, was published by Yale University Press in 2024 and launched at the British Museum and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.¹ It holds more than 6,000 pieces: manuscripts, calligraphy, miniatures, scientific books, ceramics, metalwork, glass, textiles and carpets from Andalusia to Mughal India, alongside modern and contemporary Middle Eastern and international work.² The foundation funds the post of Farjam Curator of Islamic Arts at the British Museum, and Dr Farjam's patronage and collaborations include Tate, the Metropolitan Museum and LACMA.³⁴ The DIFC gallery has shown 31 exhibitions since 2009; until 15 November 2026 it shows Boundless Geometry, works by Rana Begum from the collection, curated by Lisa A. Farjam.⁵⁶

It is a gallery to look, not to buy. For a private viewing of works that are for sale, take a specialist appointment at Sotheby's Dubai.

How to get it

The gallery is open every day from 10:00 to 22:00, and entry is free.⁷³ For a guided visit, write to info@farjamfoundation.org or call +971 4 327 7636.⁷ The foundation gives school and university groups of up to 30 a one-hour guided session with the exhibition to themselves; ask for the same arrangement for a private group.⁸ Check the current exhibition before going: the gallery shows the collection in turns, not all at once.⁵⁶

Discretion

The gallery is a ground-floor unit on Gate Avenue, open to anyone during opening hours.⁷³ A guided group session gives the exhibition to that group alone for the hour.⁸