Zainab Al‑Farhan Al‑Imam: The Queen of Arab Fine Art in London
Zainab Al‑Farhan Al‑Imam has earned the title “Queen of Arab Fine Art Auctions” for good reason. As founder of Konooz Fine Art London, she’s helped bring Arab artists into the spotlight at some of London’s most respected venues. She also created the Women’s Growth & Success Forum (WGSF‑London) and the Ziryab Fashion Show—projects that connect artists, designers, and entrepreneurs across cultures and industries.
From Gulf Roots to Global Platforms
Zainab grew up in a family that valued art, education, and creative freedom. Her mother, from Saudi Arabia, collected fine art and placed it all over Zainab’s childhood home, giving her an early experience that encouraged a deep respect for art and the stories behind the works. She later moved to London to pursue her further education in Richmond University, using her newfound knowledge to fill a gap in the Gulf region and start a company focused on providing medical equipment for people with special needs (1995).
Over time, her focus turned toward building platforms that would give Arab talent more visibility on the world stage. In London, she launched the Women’s Growth & Success Forum to bring together voices from the Middle East and Asia, particularly women in creative and business fields. It began as a large and successful event, growing greater consistently and providing a reliable space for women looking to network, collaborate, and promote their work globally.
Konooz Auctions and the Rise of Arab Fine Art in Europe
One of her most visible contributions is Konooz Fine Art Auction, a recurring event that highlights work from Arab artists—painters, sculptors, ceramicists, and more. The auctions have been hosted in venues like the Saatchi Gallery, with support from established auction houses such as Christies, Sotherbies, and Bonhams to raise funds for good causes. Artists from the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Lebanon, Morocco, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other countries have had their work shown to collectors in Europe, often for the first time.
Some of these auctions support social programs; one helped raise money for women’s leadership training, others simply gave artists a space where their work was presented professionally, providing undivided attention to detail and care.
Ziryab: More Than a Fashion Show
Ziryab, her fashion showcase, follows a similar spirit. It was created to help Arab designers gain access to international press, buyers, and showrooms. Held at locations like the Mayor of London Office, Westfield London, and the Arab British Chamber of Commerce, Ziryab quickly became more than a catwalk, it was a rare chance for designers from the Middle East to get in front of new audiences and see how their work could speak across cultures.
Zainab treats these events as collaborative spaces. She works closely with each designer on everything from preparation to presentation. Her role goes beyond hosting and enjoys guiding, promoting, and advocating. Connect with Zainab on Instagram.
Purpose Over Performance
What drives Zainab isn’t personal recognition, it is the opportunity to help others get their work seen. She often speaks about how artists and designers from the Arab world are full of potential but are rarely offered a seat at the international table.
Several artists she has worked with have gone from selling locally to being represented in global collections. One artist who once sold pieces for AED 20,000 saw those same works bid up to over AED 600,000 through her platform. Others have entered partnerships with galleries or launched their work commercially after participating in her programs.
Zainab’s influence doesn’t shout, it resonates. She curates, connects, and clears space for others to move forward. And in doing so, she’s changed what global recognition can look like for Arab creatives.
