In the heart of Dubai, where skyscrapers reflect the endless desert, lives a collector who is more than just that. Charles Al Sidaoui is a storyteller, a curator of emotions, and a believer in the power of art to connect people beyond words. His Yes Collection isn’t just about owning art — it’s about sharing something deeply personal.

I’m Charles, Lebanese, born in Beirut, shaped by the sun and sea of the Mediterranean. I am principally a collector — it feels like destiny. I officially began this journey in 2010, but my love for art goes back to childhood.

The Yes Collection is a reflection of my inner world. Every piece is a response — an emotional moment, a silent conversation between me and the artist, between past and future.

The name “Yes” wasn’t random. My last name — Sidaoui — includes the word “yes” in several languages: si, da, oui. It reflects openness — to cultures, emotions, and artistic voices.

The collection includes works by legends like Frida Kahlo, Warhol, and Lichtenstein, as well as powerful new voices from the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Asia. I don’t follow trends or chase famous names — I follow energy, honesty, and truth.

How do you choose what to collect?

I choose with my heart. It’s always a gut feeling — a spark, a moment of connection. I don’t read artist bios or think about investment value. I listen to what the piece says — how it breathes.

Each artwork must connect — not only with me but with the other works in the collection. Like music, where a single note needs others to create a melody. In my space, a Japanese abstract piece might hang next to an Armenian landscape — and suddenly, they start to speak to each other through color or feeling.

I want people to experience that dialogue — not just with the art, but with themselves.

How big is the collection now?

About 160 pieces, give or take. But numbers don’t matter much. The collection is alive — it changes. New works arrive, some move on. Like in life, it’s about moments — meetings, conversations, goodbyes. What matters is that the spirit of the collection stays strong.

Where can people see The Yes Collection?

Most of it is in my home in Dubai. It’s private, but not closed off. I welcome people who come with a real love for art, not just curiosity.

In 2023, part of the collection was shown at Sotheby’s in Dubai. In 2024, we presented Where Gesture Meets Story at The Arts Club Dubai. I wanted people to see that these artworks don’t tell my story — they help you discover yours.

Why do you collect art?

Because I can’t not. Art is a universal language. In a world full of words that divide us, art brings us together.

I don’t collect for status or money. It’s an act of love — even rebellion. Against the fake, the trendy, the shallow. I look for what’s honest and human.

I don’t want to own art just to display it. I want to share it. Not to build a cold museum, but to create a space for real moments. Art should be alive — in conversation, in emotion, in connection.

What’s your view on the art scene in Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

When I first came to Dubai in 1981, it was a blank slate. Now it’s a booming city with a growing art scene. But it’s not just about big buildings or government support. Culture has to come from inside — from people.

There are amazing buildings, yes. But often, no soul. And soul comes through beauty, thought, and emotion. That’s where private passion matters.

How do you see the future of art in the region? Should we support local artists?

Absolutely. It’s not a choice between local and international. We need both. The art scene is an ecosystem — artists, collectors, curators, galleries, businesses. Everyone plays a part.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is a great start. But if we don’t also support homegrown talent, it risks being just a beautiful shell. We need depth — stories from here, told by voices from here.

What do you think about digital art and NFTs?

Blockchain is useful. NFTs? I’m still not fully convinced. There’s a lot of noise, not always much meaning. But I stay open — it’s something the younger generation is exploring.

What excites me more is that young collectors in the region are now drawn to physical art again. They come as couples, they ask questions, they feel something. That’s powerful. That’s change.

In the end…

Charles Al Sidaoui isn’t just a collector. He’s a bridge — between cultures, between people, between emotions.

His Yes Collection is a quiet but powerful message to a world full of stress and noise:

“Yes — to dialogue. Yes — to beauty. Yes — to life.”