OPENING THE DOORS OF HER DUBAI LOFT APARTMENT MANA JALALIAN

THE COLLECTOR ON HER MISSION TO SHINE A LIGHT ON IRANIAN ARTISTS

- NANA BOTTAZZI

Art collector Mana Jalalian couldn't have found a better place in which to indulge her passion. With its immense windows framing the whole city skyline and offering endless natural light, her loft apartment in Dubai makes a spectacular exhibition space.

But while it's filled with contemporary creations from around the globe - and especially from her beloved home country, Iran what we see here is just the tip of the iceberg. In total, Mana has more than 400 works, which she shares in shows from Venice to Vancouver.

"My collection started modestly, but grew as my appreciation for art deepened. Each work represents a moment, a memory and a piece of the world's heritage," she says.

Born in Canada and brought up in Iran, Mana left at 19 to live first back in her country of birth and then Azerbaijan. She's driven by a deep belief in the power of art to break down cultural barriers.

Now settled in Dubai with her beloved Persian cat Mangool, she relishes the city's vibrant international scene, where her professional talents as an interior designer are much in demand.

Mana's own home environment reflects her dynamic, positive approach to life and the inner strength she has drawn on in her personal life to come through divorce and to conquer cancer. She's determined to help others, too, through her many humanitarian projects, as she tells us here.

Mana, fill us in on your artistic background.

"Growing up in Iran, my interest was sparked by the magazines in my uncle's architectural studio.

I was fascinated by the possibilities within those pages. Later, every step of my l education, from the lively art scene of Tehran to the structured and professional approach of Canada, was a springboard to cultivate a curiosity that transcends borders."

When did you start collecting?