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The kingdom’s talented painters and sculptors who made such an impressive imprint on the UK’s art scene are being commemorated for their creativity in a coffee-table book that will be on sale in March … a stunning memento and testimony of artistic excellence.
The colourful 200-page offering features the profiles and works of 17 artists that took part in the successful Bahrain Art Across Border (BAAB) London 2016 event which was launched at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) back in May.
A teasing selection is being highlighted on these pages.
This event fell in line with BAAB’s art venture designed to showcase the kingdom’s creative minds to an international audience and further promote the country as an artistic hub on the regional and global map.
The project is a joint venture between Art Select (brand of Art and Spice), the art investing and consultancy firm which launched the ArtBahrain Fair last year, and Tamkeen, a semi-government organisation contributing towards making Bahrain’s private sector the key driver of economic growth.
The book was conceived by BAAB and Art Select founder Kaneka Subberwal and all content was created and translated by art consultant Janet Rady and Dr Aissa Deebi, artist, curator and professor. The printing and design of the book took place in Bahrain and was supported by Tamkeen.
Kaneka said: The BAAB book was created to commemorate and honour Bahrain’s talented artists who took part in the BAAB exhibition last May. This was the first time that 17 Bahraini artists exhibited their works collectively, under one umbrella, in one of the most art-centric cities in the world and the book was a celebration of their works and a channel to help them reach out to the global arts community.”
The 45-piece collection featured in London was created by Ghada Khunji, Ghassan Muhsin, Hamed Al Bosta, Jamal Abdul Rahim, Lulwa Al Khalifa, Marwa Al Khalifa, Nabeela Al Khayer, Noof Alrefaei, Omar Al Rashid, Taiba Faraj, Sumaya Abdulghani, Mayasa Al Sowaidi and Mariam Fakhro.
The hard-covered classic will be available for purchase at the Art Bahrain Across Borders’ (Art BAB) fair to be held early next year at the Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre between March 22 to 26
Details of the latest art installment was recently announced at a press conference held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty the King of Bahrain and President of the Supreme Council for Women, at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay.
Tamkeen has appointed Art Select to manage and execute Art BAB. “Our decision to spearhead Art BAB supports our new direction,” explained Tamkeen’s chief operating officer Amal Al Kooheji.
“Bahrain’s art sector is slowly emerging into a viable industry with vast potential to become an engine of economic growth. Until recently this sector did not receive the required attention and through initiatives such as Art BAB, we hope to steer it into new heights, inspiring entrepreneurship, art education and local skills development.
“We want this exhibition to become a platform for nascent entrepreneurs, budding artists as well as existing galleries and homegrown creatives in Bahrain to showcase their talents to an international audience, learn from the experience of renowned names and equip them with the necessary resources to expand their skills and gain international recognition.
“We also want to position Bahrain as a prime hub for art and education in the future.”
The art initiative will include a BAAB Pavilion exclusive to 30 Bahraini artists whom will be selected by an international jury following submissions. There will also be a Gallery Arena that will host up to 35 international and Bahraini galleries, an International Artists Pavilion to display the works of participating international artists and an art book shop and art merchandising and design section, featuring the celebrated book.
A specially designed art and educational programme titled ‘Talks@ArtBAB’ will also run parallel to the exhibition featuring key artists and panel discussions.
Bahraini artists interested to be part of the BAAB Pavilion are requested to email tasneem@artselectbh.com, genevieve@artselectbh.com, info@artbab.com or contact 17503080. Submissions will end on November 30.
