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Albareh Art Gallery in Adliya has launched its latest creative initiative – the Albareh Centre for Art, Design and Visual Culture (ABCAD) – in style and with a splash of colour.
The concept is the brainchild of its managing director and principal curator Hayfa Al Jishi, Egyptian artist Hazem Taha Hussein along with owner Jamal Al Yousif, creative director of design and branding agency Artobrand.
Mrs Al Jishi said: “ABCAD is a dynamic place which will have everything related to art and design.
“Our aim was to create a new haven for artists to express themselves. This centre can be a stepping stone for young and old artists or even aspiring ones that either want to showcase their work, meet other designers or perhaps learn new techniques.
“ABCAD will feature workshops that will be cultural and design-related. For example, we recently held a three-day silk screen workshop. It is a technique of printing using light and photography. The first workshop showed how to print on fabric and the following course will show how to print on paper.
“We hope to stage more days such as this because it will give the chance for art enthusiasts to meet others like themselves.”
ABCAD plans to feature a variety of workshops including a jewellery making course in March and film screenings on two Tuesdays every month relating to the world of art.
To help launch the initiative five well-known Bahraini artists – Mohammed Al Mahdi, Jehan Saleh, Omar Al Rashid, Ahmed Anan and Abbas Yousif – were invited to paint on a selection of ‘graffiti walls’ which will hopefully be displayed around the kingdom for all to enjoy.
Award-winning Bahraini artist Al Mahdi, 36, from Karbabad, said: “It was a great gathering and it gave us painters a chance to exchange ideas and artistic expressions. I missed out on the luxury of formal training which is why I am excited to see more workshops and seminars held at this centre.”
Egyptian artist Ms Saleh, 38, from Zinj, is an active member of the Contemporary Arts Society in Bahrain and Albareh Art Gallery co-ordinator. Her work has been featured in many exhibits around the Gulf region.
She said: “ABCAD will give other artists a chance to learn and develop their talents through a number of seminars, courses and workshops.
“I think we will discover many new artists through this centre and provide support for each other in the community. Albareh is known for giving opportunities to upcoming artists and have showcased big time artists in the kingdom too ... so a lot of young people can meet their idols and legends.”
For more information contact Albareh Art Gallery on 17717707.
