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Gulf Weekly
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
East meets West
A top Bahraini artist is taking part in an international art exhibition highlighting the meeting of Eastern and Western art styles, in the historic Italian city of Trieste. Rashid Al Khalifa Art Foundation president and National Arts Council chairman Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa is showcasing his works at the East Meets West expo being held at Palazzo Tergesteo. 'I believe that art has the true power to transcend cultural and linguistic boundaries and create a human dialogue that crosses borders,' Shaikh Rashid explained. 'My participation in this project stems from a deep conviction in the importance of supporting international artistic initiatives. 'The RAK Art Foundation is fully committed to backing projects that open new avenues for cross-cultural exchange and shared creative exploration.' Two of Shaikh Rashid's pieces – Altered States II and Circular Reflection – are part of the exhibition taking place at the historic building located in the heart of Trieste, known for its elegant architecture. Altered States II features circular formations, referencing Bahrain's manmade environment. In the enamel on aluminium piece, Shaikh Rashid explores modern architecture's physicality in relation to nature, focusing on attributes like material, space, place and the human condition. In the stainless steel Circular Reflection, Shaikh Rashid explores themes of minimalism, geometry, and the interplay of light and form. It utilises circular motifs and convex canvases to create a meditative and contemplative experience for the viewer. The exhibition is part of a broader initiative aimed at fostering dialogue between Eastern and Western artistic traditions. It explores the theme of 'lightness' through three lenses – Art and Life, Art and Music, and Art and Philosophy. Featuring works from a diverse range of artists, the event offers an immersive experience celebrating the intersection of cultures and creative expression. 'International art initiatives serve as vital platforms for cultural dialogue and mutual understanding,' Shaikh Rashid added. 'In an increasingly interconnected world, art becomes a vital tool for breaking down barriers and fostering common ground between nations. 'At our foundation, we are committed to fostering diverse, inclusive creative spaces that promote collaboration and innovation.' On the sidelines of the exhibition's inauguration, Shaikh Rashid met Trieste mayor Roberto Dipiazza, who praised the artist's work and his contribution to international cultural discourse. The exhibition is curated by Laura Krainz-Leupoldt, and led by the Germany-based KLK Foundation in partnership with the RAK Art Foundation. Ms Krainz-Leupoldt described Trieste as the ideal host city, noting its multicultural heritage and long-standing role as a meeting point between East and West. She said the exhibition presents 'lightness' not as superficial, but as a concept grounded in authenticity, clarity, and inspiration. Supported by the patronage of the Trieste municipality and the Trieste Press Club, the exhibition is currently accessible to small groups by invitation, with plans to open to the wider public through guided tours in the near future. For more details, follow @rashidalkhalifaart and @rakartfoundation on Instagram.
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Singapore Art Week: Wild and wonderful
Large art events are often overwhelming. There's so much to soak in that it is difficult to articulate which works were particularly interesting. This was true too of Art SG, a part of the Singapore Art Week, an annual, 10-day arts festival organised by the National Arts Council (NAC) and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). In this, its 13th edition, held from January 16 to 26, it featured 130 events across various venues. The participating galleries included Gagosian, Switzerland, White Cube, London, Thaddaeus Ropac, Austria, Yeo Workshop, Singapore, and galleries such as DAG, Anant Art and Gallerie Nvya from India. Singaporean artist Jahan Loh's Postcards from Space (Riddhi Doshi) Part of Vietnamese-born artist Tuan Vu's large diptych The Rite to Spring (Riddhi Doshi) The brain always needs time to process the sensory overload of these spectacular events. The paintings, sculptures or installations that stay with the viewer for many days afterwards are the ones that have clearly made an impression. Art SG had many such works. One that particularly stood out was Vietnamese-born artist Tuan Vu's large diptych The Rite to Spring that takes you into an enchanted dream world where women in kimonos sit by a serene water body in a lush green landscape abloom with colourful flowers. Crafted using oil, oil stick, and gold leaf on linen, the work blended Eastern and Western artistic traditions by combining elements from the tropical landscapes of his native country with the colours of the South of France and with Japanese prints. Reflected in the pond are the women in robes with intricate designs. But their faces have no features, no eyes, nose or lips. 'That makes it possible for anyone to see themselves in the painting,' says Vu. There is also a cat in there and birds in cages and flowers that have little musical notations. 'I leave the reading of the work to the viewers' interpretation,' adds the artist who currently lives in Quebec. Vu grew up with six sisters so women have always been the focus of his works. Usually, they are painted nude, like in his work inspired by Édouard Manet's Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe (Luncheon on the Grass, 1863). Vu's version however replaces the two fully dressed men facing a nude woman of the original with two elegantly dressed women. One of them wears traditional Chinese attire and the other is dressed in a Japanese kimono. The three are engaged in a peaceful conversation, as if they've forgotten their countries' conflicted pasts, says Vu, adding that the question to ask really is who is the nude woman and where is she from? The inquiry into womanhood continues in Ravinder Reddy's newest works. His huge heads are on display at Gallerie Nvya's space. The focus of these sculptures is on elaborate hairstyles. One depicts a bun held together with a thick, blue band and decorated with a ring of crystals, followed by a string of orange and white flowers. That's the gajra, that many south Indian women particularly enjoy wearing. There is also a high-relief sculpture version featuring an oval bun held together with a clip and strings of pearls and golden diamonds. 'We have a long tradition of high relief sculptures in India. In our temples and caves,' says Reddy. 'But hardly anyone creates them now. So, I thought why not make them,' he adds. In these new works, Reddy continues his exploration of the female form, celebrating everyday women, their confidence and resilience, and questions traditional beauty standards, cultural pride and identity. The ordinary was also the highlight of Paris-based Shourouk Rhaiem's works. Her series titled Memory and Metamorphosis comprises sculptural replicas of the packaging of everyday products such as soaps, detergents, cola drinks, chips and chocolates encrusted with semi-precious stones and diamonds. It looks very pop art but shinier. Rhaiem's work plays with personal history and collective memory and highlights how ordinary objects can hold profound emotional and cultural significance in the contemporary world. Ravinder Reddy's sculptures focussed on elaborate hairstyles (Riddhi Doshi) It's but a short leap from thinking about the present to imagining the future and Singaporean artist Jahan Loh's Postcards from Space takes precisely that leap. His multimedia and video projection works, paintings and sculptures on space exploration and environmentalism present what it would be like to live in space, to be extraterrestrial bodies, and to ensure that the human species survives. A particularly large video work, that delves into ideas of the interplanetary diaspora and space migration, has two humans in pink space suits somewhere in space interacting with viewers. The Singapore Art Week also featured the Light to Night Festival, whose theme this year was 'Do you see me?' 'As Singapore celebrates its 60th independence anniversary this year, we wanted the theme to be identity driven. We are all always trying to figure out who we are. Do we know who others are? And where they come from? Also, do we really see them? So, this felt like the best theme,' said Vygesh Mohan, director of Light to Night. Also quite fascinating were projections onto the façade of the National Gallery Singapore of the work of artists like Chng Seok Tin, Jaafar Latiff, and Goh Beng Kwan, winners of the Cultural Medallion, the country's award for excellence in arts. Multimedia studio ARAFURA further added to the show by interpreting the theme. Tin's The Spirit of Resilience's projection celebrated the artist's dedication to her art. She continued illustrating despite losing her vision. Imprinted Memory by Kwan traced the artist's evolving practice and self-discovery through his works. The Perception of Beauty by Jaafar Latiff, which used traditional Singaporean batik art to tackle modern subjects, showcased his works from the 1970s to the 1990s. Sculptor Han Sai Por's Traveling through the Tropical Forest featured six large inflatable sculptures resembling tropical ferns at the Padang, an open field in Singapore's Civic District. The work highlighted the often-overlooked natural elements within Singapore's urban landscape such as corals and sea shells. The work of Kenyan artist Thandiwe Muriu (Riddhi Doshi) Singaporean street artist TraseOne transformed the façade of The Arts House into a colourful, multimedia projection, which traced the evolution of Singapore's graffiti scene in a work entitled Now You See Us? Apparently, graffiti which was once underground is now widely accepted. However, the street art scene in Singapore is still heavily regulated by the government. Visually-impaired artist Claire Teo's moving installation Through the Looking Glass inside the National Gallery Singapore put a spotlight on the complexities of human perception. Inspired by Teo's personal journey and the voices of underserved communities, it encouraged viewers to look through narrow openings of different windows to see people from different backgrounds, talking to them. In contrast to all that serious contemporary art, the vibe at the Art Box screamed 'Gen-Z' with displays on space mission-led AI art and pop-art nails, tattoos and sneakers, among other wild and wonderful things. While thought-provoking contemporary works from across the world that discussed things that matter resonated with this viewer, it wouldn't be off the mark to say that the Singapore Art Week had something for everyone. Riddhi Doshi is an independent journalist.
CNA
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Mary Sue
CNA938 Rewind In 'Culture Club', Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Singaporean rapper, songwriter and producer, Mary Sue, about his music and 16-track new album, 'Porcelain Shield, Paper Sword'. Sue will talk about the various themes brought up in the tracks like Oracle Bone Script and Crabs. He'll also talk about working and gigging with the Clementi Sound Appreciation Club and how they inspire each other creatively. Discover more Singaporean music and musicians – like Mary Sue – at an initiative by the National Arts Council, produced by independent music media company Bandwagon.
TimesLIVE
12-06-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Is it right for younger MPs to hold older leaders accountable, irrespective of age?
The clash between youth and experience has again come under the spotlight in parliament. Sport, arts and culture minister Gayton McKenzie recently called out DA MP Liam Jacobs over his conduct in a committee meeting. The heated exchange followed a debate on the appointment of PA member Eugene Botha as chair of the National Arts Council. McKenzie criticised Jacobs for being disrespectful, referencing a past meeting where Jacobs grilled South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan about his leadership and travel expenses. 'What I will never allow is for this member to speak when I'm speaking. You are rude. I will never stand for this rudeness of Jacobs,' said McKenzie. On social media, MP Karabo Khakhau also faced backlash after questioning officials involved in the selection of Seta board chairpersons. This raises a question in South African politics.
CNA
28-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Can self-employed persons in the arts thrive in Singapore? Artists say Yes, with the right support
CNA938 Rewind In 'Culture Club', Melanie Oliveiro finds out more about the 'Arts Acceleration Programme for Arts Self-Employed Persons', which started in April, and jointly organised by UOB FinLab and the National Arts Council. A couple of experienced self-employed persons: music director Evan Low, and visual artist and illustrator Toby Tan will share their expertise in diversifying opportunities, harnessing digital tools for entrepreneurship, and leveraging personal branding, among other things.
