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Art connoisseurs and enthusiasts were taken on a mesmerising trip, rich in brilliant colours, shapes, subjects and expressions, during the first Bahraini Female Artist Exhibition which was held at the Alba Club in Riffa.
More than 80 works of art by 31 up-and-coming and established artists were displayed during the fourday exhibition patronised by
Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Minister of Culture.
Artist and gallery owner Nadine Al Shaikh was the creative mastermind behind the event which took around a year to materialise from concept to delivery. She said: “I regularly conduct art classes and often notice the talents of many of my students. Many of them are not confident enough to showcase their work or find it difficult to exhibit because of budgetary reasons. I wanted to encourage them to showcase their work.”
She also established a net of more experienced artists who displayed their talents in her gallery.
The combination proved powerful. Nadine, 37 from Tubli, explained that the exhibition helped provide a platform allowing emerging
artists to feel comfortable and confident about displaying their artwork, both locally and internationally.
Nadine was trained by her father, Ali Shaikh, an established artist who also helped his two other daughters, Deyanna and Huda, develop their artistic skills. Nadine is the owner of the art supplies store Nadine Gallery in Umm Al Hassam and what she likes to
call ‘the hanging gallery’ in the Seef district.
She said: “I would also urge young artists to continue developing their talents and styles and once they have established themselves to help others.”
The featured artists on display were Shaikha Abeer bint Rashid Al Khalifa, Aisha Hafadh, Aziza Salman, Balqees Fakhroo, Deyanna Al Shaikh, Faega Al Hassan, Hadeer Al Bagali, Reem Abdulkarim Mareed, Haifa Mohamed, Nada Almoosa, Huda Al Shaikh, Mariam Abdulla Fakhroo, Mariam Ali Fakhroo, Mariam Al Sendi, Mariam Al Shekar, Mashael Fairooz, May Muffez, Nabeela Al Khair, Naghmah Mohseni, Nouf Al Refaei, Perryhan Al Ashmawi, Rasha Sabt, Reem Al Awadhi, Sahar Ahmadi, Mayyasa Al Sowidi, Salwa Al Qaed, Samia Engineer, Sarah Al Aradi, Shaikha Al Doseri, Kareema Taha as well as Nadine.
The opening night attracted more than 200 guests and was inaugurated by Mahmood Hashim Al Kooheji, chairman of the board of directors of Alba.
Mr Al Kooheji believes the exhibition gives greater prominence to the work of Bahrain’s female artists. “We are confident that this annual event will lay a strong foundation for the continued growth of Bahrain’s burgeoning art movement,” he said.
