Edgar Orlaineta, '(Da)Dandy', 2024, Wood, wax and acrylic paint on board, 50 x 50 x 8 cm, Courtesy of CARBON 12 and the Artist

Marked by its recent major showing ‘The Errantries of Sarah Almehairi and Bernhard Buhmann’, the nomination of contributing artist Sarah Almehairi for the Richard  Mille Art Prize – Louvre Abu Dhabi, and its upcoming showcase in November, Carbon 12 continues to foster its dedication of forging dialogue between the Middle Eastern art scene and the larger international community.

Established in 2008 by Kourosh Nouri and Nadine Knotzer, CARBON 12 emerged as the first gallery in the region to offer a fully comprehensive, international contemporary art program, including emerging and established institutional artists. Located in Dubai’s local art hub, Alserkal Avenue, CARBON 12 counts 14  represented artists, 95 shows held in its space by the end of 2024, and a growing influence in the international art world. 

Gallery Directors Kourosh Nouri and Nadine Knotzer, share: "There is no other joy than seeing the continuation of the idea we have began 15 years ago, leading to the nomination of the Emirati artist Sarah Almehairi at Louvre's Richard Mille award, and the first-ever show of Mexican artist Edgar Orlaineta in the middle east (and of course Dubai) in November. Being the only UAE gallery in Paris, participating in The  Salon by NADA's inaugural fair is also a demonstration of our commitment to our artists internationally.  The work continues with the same passion!" 

The Errantries of Sarah Almehairi and Bernhard Buhmann, Installation view, 2024, Courtesy of CARBON 12 and the Artists

With recent highlights such as Anthony Olubunmi Akinbola’s acquisition by Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Private Collection New York, André Butzer's solo exhibition at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid, the publication of Philip Mueller’s debut monograph ‘Palio di Vita’, and Amba Sayal-Bennett’s acclaimed show at the Jameel Arts Center in Dubai, the gallery has marked the calendar of its 15th year with a range of notable art shows and events. This year, CARBON 12 also participated in The Salon by NADA, in Paris, France.  

In September, Carbon 12 presented a duo exhibition uniting one of its earliest artists, Bernhard Buhmann, and one of its latest, Sarah Almehairi. The show acted as a testament to the gallery’s commitment to fostering conversation and inciting cultural exchange. The visual complementarity between both of their practices within one space highlights the correlation of Western art within the Middle East, presenting them on the same pedestal. Recently nominated for the Richard Mille Art Prize – Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sarah Almehairi has been represented by the gallery since her graduation from NYU  Abu Dhabi in 2019, bringing an already dynamic practice which has continued to flourish in different directions and grow in relevance with its contemporaries. In parallel, having studied at the University of  Applied Arts in Vienna, Bernhard Buhmann followed a path similar to Almehairi, but instead joined the gallery near its inception.  

Kourosh Nouri & Nadine Knotzer Portrait, 2022, Courtesy of CARBON 12

CARBON 12’s November show will mark the gallery’s 95th exhibition, highlighting Mexican artist Edgar Orlaineta’s practice. Introducing Orlaineta’s prominent Western presence in the local scene highlights CARBON 12’s expertise, providing an outlook on the Western art scene for the gallery’s local audience. Following the milestone 95th exhibition, CARBON 12 will also be opening Syrian-Canadian artist Nour Malas’s first-ever solo exhibition at the gallery since her representation in January 2024. The artist reflects the gallery’s continuous efforts in emphasizing a conversion between its regional artists and the international art scene. Having been raised a little all over the Middle East, and currently based in  Brooklyn, New York, Malas's practice reflects that ambivalence through her use of the absurd. 

The gallery has been committed to establishing itself in the international art scene by participating in many art fairs worldwide over the past 15 years, interposing artists from the region into the international scene and vice versa. The gallery was the first regional member of NADA Miami and has participated in the Dallas Art Fair, Chicago Invitational, the Armory Show New York, Vienna Contemporary, Sunday Art Fair,  as well as local fairs, Art Dubai and Abu Dhabi Art. CARBON 12’s Kourosh Nouri and Nadine Knotzer, along with their co-founders Macaulay & Co (Vancouver) and FIERMAN (New York), established their collaborative space in 2022, DIANA New York at 127 Henry St., offering rotating exhibitions from all 3  founding members, as well as independent curators and guest galleries.