London-based urban art dealer Steve Lazarides has announced a “seven-figure investment” in his gallery empire by Qatari business magnate and prolific art collector Wissam Al Mana.Born in Qatar and educated in England, 40-year-old Al Mana is the owner of an eponymous group of companies that includes multiple ventures, from retail to real estate, in eight countries.The investment coincides with the gallery’s 10th anniversary and will fund a relocation Mayfair at the end of 2016/early 2017 as well as an expansion of the e-commerce side of the business. “I looked long and hard at the last decade and drew the following conclusions for what should happen next,” said Lazarides, who is best known for being Banksy’s former agent.“We may be an odd couple, but we approach art from the same perspective and have a common goal for the future of the gallery.”According to Lazarides, the investment opens up a wealth of opportunities for the gallery which will to undergo a significant evolution.“We’ve spent years working from a position of isolation, and now it’s time to challenge the status quo from the inside,” said Lazarides.“I can hear the shouts of ‘Sell-out!’ on the Internet from here. But find out what we have planned before you dish out any hate.”Lazarides is celebrating ten years of exhibitions with a spectacular group show titled “Still Here,” which opens to the public on 12th February.
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