Spear’s Review

Diane Abela is the Middle East director for international art advisory agency Gurr Johns.

Abela works with individual investors, family offices and galleries on acquisitions, strategy, authentication and market advice. ‘My clients are mostly in Saudi, UAE, Qatar and Beirut,’ she says. From building collections to acquisitions and sales, she works with private clients, museums and private collectors. ‘I’m privileged to work with some of the most amazing objects, from paintings to dinosaurs.’

She tells Spear’s that art has become an asset class, but she cautious clients that ‘it’s not a liquid asset’. ‘When collectors start spending significant sums of money, they want to be sure they are not overpaying, that the work is in good condition, and they’re buying the right thing, and that’s where I can really help.’