Etihad Airways announces a strategic partnership under which Etihad will serve as the Presenting Partner for Sotheby’s landmark two-part exhibition, Icons: Back to Madison. The exhibition showcases more than 25 masterpieces—together valued at nearly $2 billion—spanning centuries and artistic movements, offering audiences a rare opportunity to view some of the most significant works ever sold by Sotheby’s.
Following its debut in Abu Dhabi during the inaugural Collectors’ Week, Icons will open in New York on 13 December at Sotheby’s newly inaugurated global headquarters in the historic Breuer Building on Madison Avenue, remaining on view until 21 December. Etihad previously served as Presenting Partner for the Abu Dhabi exhibition, held from 2–6 December at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.
Courtney Kremers, Sotheby’s Vice Chairman and Senior Specialist, Post-War and Contemporary Art, said:
“Icons is more than an exhibition—it’s a celebration of Sotheby’s legacy and a return to our roots on Madison Avenue, a historic center of art, culture, and collecting. By uniting some of the most extraordinary objects ever sold under our banner, we honor decades of expertise and offer the public a rare chance to experience works that have shaped collecting worldwide.”
Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, stated:
“As Presenting Partner, we’re proud to bring this extraordinary collection to global audiences in both our home, Abu Dhabi, and in New York. This exhibition reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as an emerging cultural destination. Our collaboration with Sotheby’s reflects our shared commitment to delivering exceptional experiences that connect cultures and inspire discovery. As a luxury airline dedicated to impeccable service, we are privileged to carry the collection to New York and look forward to expanding this partnership.”
Highlighted works include Andy Warhol’s Shot Orange Marilyn (1964), marked by the bullet hole created during an unapproved Factory performance; Banksy’s Girl Without Balloon, which famously self-shredded during a 2018 Sotheby’s auction; Jane Birkin’s original Hermès Birkin prototype bag, which sold for a record $10 million; and ancient Mesopotamian sculptures dating back 5,000 years.
Etihad Cargo is exclusively transporting the Icons Collection through its FlyCulture specialised service, reflecting the airline’s expertise in moving precious and high-value goods worldwide.
From Abu Dhabi, Etihad operates twice-daily flights to New York’s JFK International Airport, enhanced by the United States Customs and Border Protection Preclearance facility at Zayed International Airport—the only one of its kind in the region. This allows guests to complete U.S. immigration and customs before departure and arrive in the United States as domestic travelers.
This partnership marks the beginning of a deeper collaboration between Etihad and Sotheby’s, united in their commitment to elevating cultural experiences and connecting global audiences to remarkable works of art.
