"The Third Line was born out of the anti-Arab sentiment that followed the September 11 attacks against the US in 2001, says Sunny Rahbar, the director of the gallery and one of its three co-founders. She was working at another gallery in New York at the time and was taken aback by the reaction to the event. "There was all this hate and blame being directed towards the Middle East, which is where I'm from," she says. "I'd noticed the lack of representation of artists from the Menasa [Middle East North Africa South Asia] region and it dawned on me that their stories must be told.""
"Rahbar moved back to Dubai and began imagining a platform for artists from the region. With her friend Lisa Farjam, she launched Bidoun, which became one of the key publications for the discussion of art from the region. After two years and trying multiple avenues, she partnered with a new transplant to Dubai, the art consultant Claudia Cellini, to found an independent art space. UAE regulations at the time required an Emirati sponsor in order to start a business. The diplomat Omar Ghobash backed them, allowing them to launch in 2005 with a show of five Iranian photographers."
Art Dubai, the Saadiyat Museums Project and the Third Line each reach their twentieth anniversary this year. The Third Line originated in response to anti-Arab sentiment after September 11, prompting Sunny Rahbar to return to Dubai and create platforms for Menasa artists. Early initiatives included the Bidoun publication and partnerships with Claudia Cellini and an Emirati sponsor, diplomat Omar Ghobash, enabling a 2005 launch with five Iranian photographers. Regulatory limits prevented formal non-profit status, so the space used a framing and novelty trading license and operated between commercial gallery activity and artist-focused programming, including screenings, performances and book clubs.
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