Until today no other precious metal has fascinated mankind more than gold. Present since the creation of earth, gold was first discovered around 6,000 years ago and is the most malleable metal. Since then, gold has attained an unparalleled mystical aura.

The very first gold mine map was discovered in Egypt 5,200 years ago, and man-made gold artefacts appeared in the Balkans around the same period. Since the ancient times, gold has continued to captivate us. Gold finds its ways into almost every facet of modern life in some way, shape or form. The appeal of gold knows no culture, religion, or borders. Wars were fought for gold, people dedicated their entire life to finding gold, and gold itself became more than just a precious metal. Gold has been universally accepted as the highest attainable measure for a long time. 

The precious metal holds a very cherished place in the Middle East. Dubai, amongst other cities in the region, features a gold souk, testament to the tradition, culture, and importance of the precious metal in the peninsula. Since the dawn of time, artists have been working with this material; whether using pure gold or adding splashes of gold to their creations, the world of art has and is celebrating the aurum metal.

Opera Gallery Dubai is proud to present a curated selection of artworks featuring gold. For a brief moment, the artists presented in this exhibition became modern day alchemists, and re-interpreted in their own personal way the mythical impact that gold can give the viewers. Kossi Aguessy’s golden doll sculptures are a modern take on old idols. Roy Nachum’s careful use of gold leaves on his canvas, is a subtle way to motivate the audience to heed the values and priorities in our society. While Valey Shende’s gold sculptures are a social commentary on India, Robert Indiana used the most popular metal for his most famous sculpture, highlighting the timeless and universal message of love.