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Artists, photographers and sculptors from around the world shared their colourful work with art lovers at the third edition of the Art Bahrain Across Borders (ArtBAB 2018) exhibition.
The five-day contemporary art fair, which ended on Sunday night, featured loaned exhibits from 15 international galleries, displayed alongside the work of independent artists representing 11 countries, as well as 35 Bahraini home-grown talents.
Staged at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, the event was managed and executed by international art investment and consultancy firm Art Select and its founder Kaneka Subberwal.
She said: “Well, the name says it all. The philosophy of ArtBAB has always been to take Bahraini art to the world and welcome the global art movement to Bahrain.
“Each year, we see the enthusiasm for ArtBAB growing which is such a delight for us. From artists to visitors, the show has grown exponentially over three years.
“It has also developed into a nurturing platform for Bahraini artists and we have actually taken ArtBAB to the world with exhibitions in London, New Delhi and Mumbai. In 2018, we’re looking at other European countries, including Russia. Above all, ArtBAB has reshaped the narrative on how one understands modern Bahrain. Seen through the interpretative art of its finest artists and most creative mind, one gets to experience a new Bahrain where an ancient heritage is decoded and brilliantly put together on canvas and through sculptures.”
The fair’s 2018 programme included a series of educational talks, performances and panel discussions. There were also collaborative walls for experimental graffiti art and a music and art spotlight on Khalil Gibran.
There was also the first-ever kids@artbab workshop that focused on developing junior artists. Among the star attractions this year were three pieces from British artist Damien Hirst. His Beautiful Blood Orchids in an Electric Storm art work captivated onlookers as did Indian artist Sonal Ambani’s giant stainless steel king and queen chess pieces entitled Time’s Up.
Artist Alpesh Dave’s threaded art work made an impression on University College of Bahrain graphic design student Zahraa Ali, 24, from Sitra, who had her own exhibits featured on her university’s stand along with fellow students. Zahraa said: “This was my first time at ARTBAB and it’s great to see the different works from Bahraini painters and sculptors alongside those from other countries.
“Alpesh’s Van Gogh-inspired thread painting, for example, shows you what over-thinking looks like and how your mind can wander. I was also moved by Majd Kurdeih’s artwork too. His cartoon-style was so simple and yet so complex.”
Syrian artist Majd’s work combined painting, drawing and literature with recurring figures and a cast of characters carrying a strong moral message. The two main characters were Fasaeen (Arabic for ‘tiny ones’) stick figures. The Fasoon (boy) and Fasooneh (girl) were always smiling despite the fact their world was filled with hardship.
The Dirty Hands Crew street art graffiti wall also attracted large crowds with its vibrant use of colours and shading. The crew was made up of five artists, including Bahraini Mustafa Halwachi. He said: “It’s amazing how this exhibition is changing and adapting. The interaction of street and traditional art has created an amazing response from visitors.”
International artists also had a chance to showcase their skills and Thai Virut Panchabuse sold all his collages on display to impressed collectors at BD850 a piece. Although some pieces fetched larger amounts. Among the tinfoil figurines on display was a giraffe by David Breuer-Weil priced BD2,600.
Visitor, British expat grandmother Tricia Butt, added: “The exhibition was very impressive. We have set high international standards here and I’m really proud of Bahrain and all its artists.”
The event was held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of HM the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), spearheaded by Tamkeen and innagurated by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.
