Pure emotions

Enthusiastic art lovers were delighted to be taken on an emotional journey through colours by abstract Egyptian artist and the country’s former Culture Minister Farouk Hosny.

The exhibition featuring 45 artworks can be viewed at the Art Centre in Muharraq every day from 9am to 8pm until February 5.

The event is being organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) in collaboration with Bahrain Gallery.

Baca president Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa described the Egyptian artist as a ‘towering figure’ in helping to promote culture and arts in Egypt and across the Arab world.

He proved the point attracting large crowds of enthusiasts, dazzling onlookers with his colourful creations.

“Abstract needs a lot of bravery due to everyone viewing the paintings with a different point of view and perspective,” said Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa, who was accompanied by his daughter, Haya. “The artist is one of most talented in this field and it’s wonderful to see his work displayed in Bahrain.”

The artist said his work contained ‘pure emotion’.  “It’s hard to find the words to describe these paintings,” he said. “Many people don’t understand abstract art but it’s not about understanding as much as feeling it.”

Egyptian Ambassador Yasser Mohammed Ahmed Shaban said it was great to welcome back a leading Egyptian artist to Bahrain for the first time since the pandemic.

“I’m very proud to attend the exhibition featuring such a great painter and former Egyptian minister Farouk Hosny,” he said. “It includes a lot of his new work.”

Abstract art uses visual language of shape, form, colour and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world.

The artworks show his various techniques within the framework of the abstract style, ranging between free and geometric, outlining the different stages of his artistic prowess.

Among the guests at the opening show were former Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.