In discussion with:
Nina Sukhotin
The Naila Collection
"In Arabic, naila means ‘the attainer, the achiever, the successful one’."
Farah Al Qasimi, "S Eating Watermelon", 2015Archival inkjet print, 152 × 114.3 cmCourtesy the artist and The Third Line, Dubai
The Naila Collection champions female and nonbinary artists from the Middle East and the Global South through acquisitions, curatorial projects and loans.
Founded in 2018 by Nina Sukhotin, Naila Collection fosters a dialogue between generations of vanguard female artists from the Middle East, the Global South and their diasporas. It seeks to reflect the myriad voices and expressions of female artists from these regions. The Collection particularly supports bold practices that speak to the issues of gender equality, power structures, female emancipation, freedom of movement and speech. Those issues are particularly at play in the Middle East and the Global South resound across borders.
Naila Collection actively lends to institutions and supports artists talks and public projects. These global endeavours prefigure the establishment of a public Naila Foundation in its permanent home.
Your collection bears the name Naila. What is the significance of this word for you?
In Arabic, naila means ‘the attainer, the achiever, the successful one’. When thinking about what to call the collection, this seemed to be inspirational and empowering both as a name and as a modus operandi.
The Naila Collection comprises a substantial number of works by female artists, particularly from the Middle East. How did you discover these artists and the region? What influences your choices?
The years I spent in the Middle East significantly influenced my interest in art. I visited every gallery specialising in art from the region and met as many knowledgeable people as I could. I soaked up all the information available to me, and then researched some more. Learning is the best part of my approach as a collector and patron.
I tend to focus on contemporary art and love discovering new ideas, artistic innovations and the different materials artists use to challenge our perceptions of beauty and social norms.
Is it important for you to know the artists personally?
Absolutely! For me, knowing the artist’s story, their attitude and sources of inspiration provides another level of understanding and meaning.
"The more people get to enjoy art, the better."
Nina Sukhotin and Anaïs Lellouche
Maysha Mohamedi, "Driving Home Full of Sex and Melancholy", 2022Oil on canvas, diptych: each, 251.5 × 417.2 × 4.4 cm Courtesy the artist and PACE Gallery
Rana Begum, “No. 1217 Mesh”, 2022Powder coated galvanised mild steel (11 shapes), 140 × 130 × 120 cmCourtesy the artist and Kate McGarry
Do dialogues between artists play a significant role within your collection?
I like to think there’s an organic and intuitive thread running through the collection, connecting the works and their universes. If I had to give this thread a name, I’d probably use the word ‘empowerment’.
What is your approach to loans and public display?
I’m very keen to share the works in the collection and enable as many people as possible to take pleasure in them. I believe that buying a beautiful, thought-provoking (or even eccentric) piece and tucking it away is a crime. The more people get to enjoy art, the better.
How can people learn more about the Naila Collection? Do you have long-term objectives for it?
I want the collection to be as accessible as possible, and our long-term goal is to establish a public foundation with a sculpture park. As ever, loaning works from my collection to various institutions is core to our mission.
This leads us to initiate a series of artist talks and curatorial projects. The aim here is to share the ideas and practices of some of the key artists working in the Middle East today; artists who are important to the collection.
I hope the Naila Collection becomes a beacon of inspiration and creativity, encouraging its audience to find some source of artistic revelation.
Yto Barrada, "Green Palm", 2016Steel structure with galvanized sheet metal and colored led electrical bulbs, 185 × 154 × 30 cm. Edition of 3 + 1 AP