Latest news with #RashidAlKhalifa
Gulf Weekly
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
Culture connect
Two Bahraini artists are getting their work spotlighted as part of a transformation of an ambassadorial home during an initiative that was inaugurated last night. Renowned Bahraini creatives Adnan Al Ahmad and Aysha Hafez are part of the 'Artists in the Residence' collaborative project launched by the German Embassy and Rashid Al Khalifa (RAK) Art Foundation. 'At the RAK Art Foundation, we believe that artistic collaboration and cultural exchange are vital in building bridges between communities,' RAK founder and National Arts Council chairman Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa explained. 'This initiative with the German Embassy exemplifies how shared creativity can deepen mutual understanding and provide our artists with meaningful opportunities to engage with global audiences. 'We are proud to support platforms that celebrate the power of art to connect and inspire.' The core component of the cultural initiative is the transformation of German Ambassador Clemens Hach's residence with unique Bahraini pieces by Adnan and Aysha. 'I am deeply impressed by the result of this artistic transformation of my residence,' Ambassador Clemens added. 'Their wonderful artworks harmonise amongst themselves and with the space, and I am eternally grateful to Shaikh Rashid and his team and the artists for their support in making this artistic experiment work.' Adnan, a graduate of the École des Beaux-Arts in Besançon, France, approaches his art through a deeply personal yet analytically structured lens. His work combines geometric form with layered composition, shaped by memory, imagination, and emotion. Through a scientific and symbolic methodology, Adnan reinterprets old and recent memories into new visual narratives, creating immersive pieces rich with introspection and abstraction. 'My works represent me personally and present stories and tales that pertain to me as a human being, with feelings, emotions, and memories like any other human being on earth,' he told GulfWeekly. 'I try to express them and present them so that others can share them with me, perhaps the stories and tales will be similar, and art will be a point of convergence and communication, united by a common factor: colour, calligraphy and fabric. 'With this project, I want to show Germans and foreigners, in general, that Bahraini artists are capable of reaching international fame and keeping up with any other artist anywhere with their art, style, culture, and knowledge. 'Bahrain has a rich history and an ancient civilisation that relied on the visual arts in many of its manifestations, such as Dilmun seals, textile and pottery industries, and ancient traditional architecture. 'The history of modern art here began in the 1950s and Bahraini artists have developed their art significantly, advancing in their presentation of their subject matter, style, and technique. 'They have become competitive in international forums as artists of their own stature and influence. 'It is a great honour for me personally to represent my country, Bahrain, anywhere in the world as an ambassador for my country, and to represent all Bahraini artists who are no less than me in level, performance, style and concept.' Aysha uses limestone as a mould for her forms, reflecting both delicacy and structure. Her work embraces themes of peace, beauty, and nature, symbolised by birds, doves, and olive branches, offering a poetic reflection on serenity and generosity. One of her collections highlighted in this exhibition is 'Whiteness', featuring a series of white sculptures using wood, stones, marble powder and other mixed media. 'In this series, I used limestone because it is easy to work on and make a mould for artworks down the road, and then I used marble powder for the final result. 'Some of my artworks have limited prints, but most of them are one of a kind.' For more details, follow @rakartfoundation, @hafuzaysha and @adnan60alahmed on Instagram.
Syyaha
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Syyaha
A Landmark Exhibition Redefining Artistic Accessibility in Saudi Arabia
Sunday, 29 Shawwal 1446 / 27 April 2025:: Fragments of Folklore is a world-class exhibition presenting cultural identity through art, bridging tradition and contemporary practice, and redefining the accessibility of artistic expression in Saudi Arabia and exhibition marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of contemporary art in Saudi Arabia as the kingdom reshapes its cultural landscape through its Vision 2030 reform plans. Fragments of Folklore reflects this paradigm shift via its featured artists (Lulwah Al Homoud, Rashid Al Khalifa, Raeda Ashour and Hamra Abbas) who all explore the ongoing tension between tradition and three-quarters of the artists featured in Fragments of Folklore are female, including two Saudi artists (Al Homoud and Ashour); which aligns with the Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 plans to increase female empowerment and exhibition, which takes place in Riyadh's JAX District (also known as the epicenter of Saudi Arabia's burgeoning contemporary arts scene), also marks a first-of-its-kind collaboration between three pioneering institutions – THAA (Saudi Arabia), MIR'A Art (Paris/Middle East) and TRIYAD (Belgium) – all uniting their expertise to bridge local and global artistic discourse. At a time when the Middle East's artistic landscape is expanding at an unprecedented pace, Fragments of Folklore isn't just an exhibition – it is a cultural statement, an invitation to rethink accessibility, identity, and the evolving role of art in a rapidly transforming society. FRAGMENTS OF FOLKLORE: FEATURED ARTISTSFolklore is often thought of as an oral tradition – stories, myths, and legends passed down through generations. Yet, folklore is more than narrative; it is also a language of symbols, patterns, as well as a conduit for conduit for cultural preservation. Whether it's Bruegel's peasant scenes, Goya's dark mythologies, Marc Chagall's folkloric dreamscapes or Frida Kahlo's deeply personal narratives, folklore has served as both an anchor to history and a catalyst for innovation in Fragments of Folklore, Hamra Abbas, Lulwah Al Homoud, Rashid Al Khalifa and Raeda Ashour all engage with elements of their cultural heritage, translating them into contemporary artistic expressions. Here, folklore is not a static relic of the past but a dynamic archive of identity, reshaped and reimagined across time and geography. The exhibition coincides with Saudi Arabia's Year of Handicrafts 2025, an initiative that foregrounds artisanal heritage while redefining its relevance in contemporary artist works with fragments of inherited knowledge – whether through geometry, calligraphy, materiality, or abstraction. Their works echo the past while asserting their place in the present, engaging with motifs and forms that have carried meaning for centuries but are now filtered through a modern lens. By bringing these four artists together for the first time, Fragments of Folklore creates a landmark cross-cultural conversation on tradition, symbolism, and storytelling. FRAGMENTS OF FOLKLORE: SAUDI ARABIA AT A CROSSROADSFragments of Folklore stands as a defining moment in the evolution of contemporary Saudi art, reflecting the Kingdom's dynamic cultural transformation under Vision Arabia is entering a new era of cultural ambition and artistic innovation. Once known primarily for its economic power and religious heritage, the kingdom is now emerging as a global hub for the arts. With a thriving tourism industry, record investments in sports – including hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup – and the introduction of international entertainment, Saudi Arabia is reshaping its identity on the world stage. At the heart of this transformation is a deep commitment to high culture, signalling a new chapter in the kingdom's creative and intellectual evolution. At the forefront of this shift is Riyadh, which is set to host the Louvre Riyadh, a landmark $500 million project that strengthens Saudi Arabia's ties with France's most renowned cultural institutions. This follows the Centre Pompidou's expansion into AlUla, further reinforcing Saudi Arabia's role as a key player in the global arts scene. The kingdom has also made a historic entrance into the international art market, with Sotheby's holding its inaugural auction in Saudi Arabia in 2025, demonstrating the growing demand for fine art in the region and its rising influence in the global art economy. Garden 4 Hamra AbbasAlongside these developments, Saudi Arabia is hosting an unprecedented wave of world-class exhibitions. Desert X AlUla, now a staple in the international art calendar, continues to bring ground-breaking land art to the country's wondrous desert landscapes. Simultaneously, The Islamic Arts Biennale, running until 25 May, is offering an extraordinary exploration of Islamic heritage and contemporary interpretations, coinciding with Fragments of Folklore, a cultural showcase that delves into the rich traditions and narratives shaping the region's artistic large-scale exhibitions in the Gulf have focused on imported western narratives; Fragments of Folklore reverses this trajectory – elevating regional voices, redefining creative accessibility, and ensuring that the next generation of artists and audiences engage with art not as an exclusive privilege, but as an intrinsic of Folklore also directly aligns with the kingdom's ambition to become a global cultural hub, placing its contemporary artists on the world stage and creating an infrastructure where art is not just displayed, but actively lived, debated, and a young, ambitious, and globally connected generation leading the charge, Saudi Arabia is experiencing an artistic renaissance – one that is not only redefining its own cultural identity but also positioning the kingdom as a leading force in the global art world. This dynamism is reflected in the location hosting Fragments of Folklore: Riyadh's thriving JAX District, the epicenter of Saudi Arabia's contemporary arts scene and home to acclaimed artists, galleries, creative agencies and SAMOCA (the kingdom's first contemporary art museum).'Wall Painting' Rashid Al KhalifaBEYOND THE EXHIBITION: A MOVEMENT FOR ARTISTIC ACCESSIBILITYMore than an exhibition, Fragments of Folklore marks the beginning of a cultural movement:Mentorship & Visibility – Supporting emerging artists in Saudi Arabia by offering mentorship, curatorial support, and institutional Dialogue – Bridging Saudi and MENA narratives with international audiences through collaborations in Paris, Brussels, and & Representation – Ensuring that cultural heritage is not just preserved but actively reinterpreted for future generations.A shift from Euro-centric to Multi-centric – By bringing together artists from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Pakistan, Fragments of Folklore ensures Middle Eastern and south Asian artists are shaping their own artistic discourse. The exhibition could also be seen as part of a larger art-world shift towards decolonizing narratives. Accessible Art Ownership – The exhibition will also feature a curated Art Store, making prints and smaller works by emerging artists available at reasonable prices—allowing a broader audience to engage with and own contemporary art. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Fragments of Folklore is a unique opportunity to experience a bold reimagining of cultural identity, artistic innovation and accessibility in contemporary art. The exhibition also marks a time when Saudi Arabia is asserting its place in this historic trajectory – not as a passive observer of global art history, but as an active participant shaping its future
Trade Arabia
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Trade Arabia
Bahrain to host Global Brush Exhibition featuring 100 artists
The fifth edition of the Global Brush Exhibition, a prestigious international showcase uniting artists from across the globe, will be hosted at the Bahrain World Trade Center from April 20 to 24. The event is organised by Al-Dar Art Gallery, a cultural institution of Jordan. The exhibition will be inaugurated by renowned artist Sheikh Rashid Al Khalifa, a member of the Bahrain's Royal family. He will be joined by ambassadors from Jordan and various other nations. Alongside the exhibition, a vibrant programme of cultural and artistic events will enrich the experience, including panel discussions, seminars, and guided visits to both the National Museum and the Rashid Al Khalifa Gallery. Global Brush aspires to establish a seasonal and itinerant presence among world capitals, aiming to bridge distances between artists, scholars, and an engaged public. Al-Dar Gallery's vision is to continually renew and expand this artistic platform — fostering dialogue, cultural exchange, intellectual stimulation, critical thinking, research, and creative vitality. – TradeArabia News Service
