Biography
Ashkan Baghestani began his career at Sotheby's London in 2012 in the Middle East department, focusing on the company’s inaugural Doha auctions. In 2019, Ashkan joined the Contemporary department as a Head of Sale and Director for Middle Eastern and International Contemporary Art. In 2021, he relocated to New York to head Sotheby’s Contemporary Curated auctions, and since 2013 has been Head of the Contemporary Art Day Sale.
His in-depth knowledge of the market for Modern and Contemporary Arab, Iranian and Turkish works, his fluency in French, English and Farsi, and his relationships with key stakeholders in the region have been invaluable in cultivating this important collecting field at Sotheby's, which has resulted in numerous auction records for artists from the region. In 2017, Ashkan headed Boundless: Dubai, the first international auction held in Dubai. He also oversaw the first single-owner Middle Eastern sale at Sotheby’s, Alchemy: Objects of Desire (2016) and the first non-selling exhibition, from the Estate of Artist Manoucher Yektai (2019). Ashkan also travels widely across the Middle East, establishing a continuous educational program and directing Sotheby’s numerous travelling exhibitions.
In his current role, he brings his client liaisons and invaluable knowledge of the European and Middle Eastern market to New York at a time where the Gulf states have invested in an extensive culture program and vision, and new clients are entering the art market across the region. In February 2025 Ashkan headed the historic inaugural auction in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Origins: Riyadh, which achieved $17.5 million.
Ashkan was born and raised in Geneva, Switzerland, and has lived and worked in Paris, New York and London. Before joining Sotheby's, he studied Design and Management at Parson’s, The New School for Design earning a BBA Degree in 2009 and later a diploma in Middle Eastern Art from Sotheby’s Institute in 2011. He also worked for the Jameel Prize at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
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