In this extended film, we sit down with Fatima Maleki to discover more about the extraordinary journey she and her husband - Eskandar Maleki - have been on over the past few decades to become two of the most instrumental figures in the art market today. We also find out some of the stories behind this remarkable collection of works from their Mayfair home, coming to auction at Dreweatts on 25 September 2024.
Forced to leave Iran during the Islamic Revolution of 1979, the Maleki family had to begin their lives anew. Starting with just a few modest purchases to keep their passion for collecting alive - and at first heavily influenced by fond memories of their childhood homes - over the years, they gradually gathered more pieces from their travels and began to establish a prominent reputation in the international art market. Today, Fatima and Eskandar Maleki are renowned for their curatorial eye, knowledge of the art market, and patronage of emerging artists, through sponsorship and advisory roles with various institutions.
However, to those who have enjoyed the warmth and hospitality that the Maleki's have given to so many who have been welcomed through the doors of their Mayfair home at 28 South Street, it's the generous parties and wonderful connections made that remain unforgettable, all hallmarked by Fatima's ‘open house’ style and love for entertaining, gleaned from a childhood steeped in Persian culture and living in embassies around the world. As she says, ‘entertaining was part of my DNA’
So, as well as their passion for art, always at the heart of 28 South Street has been the Malekis' mission to connect people from all walks of life. It was at the home where collectors met their artists, artists met their patrons, and even where many people found their future spouses. All set within a wonderland of artistic fusions where Old Master portraits and antique bronzes were placed alongside luxurious upholstery and cutting-edge contemporary art.
Whether this film evokes fond memories or gives new insights, we hope it helps us all embrace the art of connection and collection, of sharing great food and company. Our sincere and warm thanks to Fatima & Eskandar Maleki and their family for their help with the making of this film.
To view the auction: www.dreweatts.com/auctions/28-south-street-the-mayfair-home-of-fatima-eskandar-maleki-14698/
IMAGERY & ARCHIVE
All imagery included in this film is subject to © Dreweatts 1759, © Maleki Family Archive, and those © clearances as indicated on screen and below.
© Maleki Family Archive
© Barney Hindle
© Hansueli Krapf | Aerial View of Tehran and Tochal | Public Domain CC BY-SA 3.0
© Public Domain | Tehran Street Scene 1970 | Via Get Archive LLC & Wikimedia Commons
© Dick Gilbert | Elburz Mountains, I974 | CC by-SA 2.0 Via Flickr
© Public Domain | Iranian Revolution Protest | Get Archive LLC & Wikimedia Commons
© Public Domain | Mohammad Reza Pahlavi & Amir-Abbas Hoveyda 1970 | Via Picryl & Wikimedia Commons
© Public Domain | The cabinet of prime minister Hoveyda, 1975 | Via Picryl & Wikimedia Commons
© Public Domain | Tehran Ashura Demonstration Dec 1978 | Via Picryl & Wikimedia Commons
© Public Domain | View of Mt Hood, Portland | CC0 1.0 Universal Via Flickr & Rawpixel
© MojaveNC | Downtown Portland from the Lloyd District | CC BY-SA 4.0 Via Wikimedia Commons
© Hansueli Krapf | Aerial View of Tehran| CC BY-SA 3.0 Via Wikimedia Commons
© Steve Morgan | SW Morrison Street at 11th Avenue in downtown Portland (Oregon)| CC BY-SA 3.0 Via Wikimedia Commons
© Neil Cummings | Telephone Bidding, A Joy Forever 2008 | CC BY-SA 2.0 Via Flickr
© Neil Cummings | Damien Hirst Auction 2008 | CC BY-SA 2.0 Via Flickr
© Ewan Munro | Lisson Gallery, Marylebone | CC BY 2.0 Via Wikimedia Commons Via Flickr
© George Darrell | Lisson Gallery Photographer | Works of Christopher Le Brun | CC BY-SA 4.0 Via Wikimedia Commons
© Cattan2011 | Anselm Kiefer Exhibition, White Cube London 1 | CC BY 2.0 Via Wikimedia Commons Via Flickr
© Cattan2011 | Anselm Kiefer Exhibition, White Cube London 2 | CC BY 2.0 Via Wikimedia Commons Via Flickr
© Ewan Munro | Approach Tavern, Bethnal Green | CC BY 2.0 Via Wikimedia Commons Via Flickr
© Epha3 Lab from London | White Cube Gallery | CC BY 2.0 Via Wikimedia Commons
© Rory Hyde | Olafur Eliasson, The Weather Project 2003 | CC BY 2.0 Via Wikimedia Commons Via Flickr
FILMING TEAM
Directed and Produced by Laura Warner
Cinematography by Alex Metcalfe
Edited by Alex Metcalfe and Laura Warner
MUSIC CREDITS
TRACK 1 - Father | Created by Gan Raveh Ensemble | Artlist.io
TRACK 2 - Nay Freedom | Created by Ankori and Ramon | Artlist.io
TRACK 3 - Neshama Yetera | Created by Itai Armon | Artlist.io
TRACK 4 - Vast Desert | Created by Anthony Vega | Artlist.io
TRACK 5 - Desert Fields | Created by Perle Blanche | Artlist.io
TRACK 6 - Nomad Middle East | Created by Hans Johnson | Artlist.io
TRACK 7 - Ajam Bliss | Created by Nadaz | Artlist.io