Middle Eastern art focus of Saatchi show

LONDON, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Art collector Charles Saatchi says his newest London art exhibition will feature the creations of nearly 15 Middle Eastern artists.

Saatchi, credited with helping promote the Britart movement during the 1990s, said the artistic works created by his newest discoveries are unique in their take of the world compared with more traditional fare, The Sunday Times of London reported.

"The work of these artists from the Middle East looks very different to the art we are used to seeing from America, Europe and now China," he said.

The art exhibition will be featured at Saatchi's new London gallery that is to officially open its doors Thursday.

The gallery will offer free showings of the Middle Eastern art exhibition, which Saatchi said will feature art ranging from the shocking to the amusing.

"Some of this Middle East art is witty, some of it is hair-raising, and the best works are as sharp as a scalpel," the Baghdad-born former advertising tycoon told The Times.