Artbooth Gallery Founder Roger El Khoury speaks on his tryst with art

Lebanese national Roger El Khoury is the Founder of Abu Dhabi located Artbooth Gallery. With a background in Art History from the Saint Joseph University of Beirut and a diploma in Art Management and Evaluation from ESA Business School, he has over a decade of experience in the art industry.

- Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

He specialises in modern and contemporary art and takes deep interest in discovering emerging artists. Roger's journey in the art world began when he started working with Ayyam Art Gallery in Beirut. His tryst with art in the UAE began in 2009 when he started visiting Dubai regularly for work-related purposes. He appreciates the cosmopolitan nature of the UAE, its economic stability, and the strong support it offers to the arts. But even before establishing Artbooth Gallery's physical space, he operated a mobile gallery that served as a platform for advising and assisting art collectors with investment-grade art, between Beirut and the UAE. Additionally, he worked at The Young Collectors Auction from 2013 to 2016, participating in over 50 auctions that showcased young and emerging artists. Roger finds great joy in discovering talented emerging artists and helping them grow their careers. He has a particular interest in investment-grade art, recognising the potential for art pieces to increase in value over time. He speaks to Gulf Today

Why did you establish Artbooth Gallery?

My passion for art was the driving force behind establishing Artbooth Gallery. After spending more than ten years working in the art world, including galleries and auction houses, I gained valuable experience and insight into the industry. The gallery was founded with the vision of supporting artists, fostering meaningful connections with collectors, and contributing to the region’s cultural landscape.

Why did you set it up in Abu Dhabi and not Dubai, which is said to have a more vibrant art scene?