ALI KHADRA, CHAIR OF THE JUDGING PANEL
A keen collector of Contemporary art, Ali Khadra started his career in the hospitality industry before turning his passions for art and publishing into a profession.
In 2004 he founded the boutique publishing house, Mixed Media Publishing and launched its flagship title, Canvas. As the premier magazine for art and culture from the Middle East and Arab world, Canvas has received international acclaim and has established itself as a catalyst on the global art scene. He has expanded the business to include contract publishing: Canvas Folios, art and luxury consultancy, art seminars: Canvas Education and a creative art-marketing agency. Furthermore, Khadra has participated in numerous international conferences and panels on the topic of Middle Eastern art.
He is now looking at the global art market and aiming to bridge the gap between the arts and television with Canvas TV, a global arts channel launching in 2011. A 24-hour network, Canvas TV will cover international Arts & Lifestyle programs. Khadra is the regional consultant for the world’s leading auction house, Christie’s, a patron of the Tate Modern and a member of the Tate’s recently formed Middle Eastern art acquisition committee. He also serves on the committees of several organizations, including Prix Pictet, the V&A’s Jameel Prize, the Parasol Unit, the Abraaj Capital Art Prize and the Magic of Persia Contemporary Art Prize.
Khadra is an active advocate of philanthropy, which he also applies on the corporate level through Canvas Holding’s activities.