ArtBAB a huge success
Manama : Bahrain’s second contemporary art fair, Art Bahrain Across Borders (ArtBAB 2017), came to a close on March 26 after witnessing tremendous success both in terms of participation and sales.
The event, which opened doors on 22 March 2017, hosted over 60 participants from over 20 countries spanning Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa and the United States.
The event witnessed a footfall of over 20,000 visitors and achieved total sales of BD205,724 of which Bahraini artists contributed BD105,334, an increase of 40 per cent from the first edition.
This year’s highlight was the participation of the fair’s patron, Her Royal Highness HRH Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women, an artist in her own right who uses iPad to create digital works of nature.
‘ArtBAB Prize’
The ‘ArtBAB Prize’ launched to encourage Bahraini artists will take effect from the fair’s third edition planned in March 2018, it was announced. To apply log on to www.artselectbh.com portal. Award categories include: contemporary art, photography, sculpture, best unique technique, video and film as well as an emerging artist award.
'Artist representation plan’
This unique opportunity will provide Bahraini artists access to international events for which the selection will be made through an open call. For more information, log on to www.artselectbh.com from 10 April 2017. Registration will commence on 17 April 2017.
Commenting, Dr Ebrahim Mohammed Janahi, Chief Executive of Tamkeen said: “The aim is to inspire local and regional talents and promote art education and skills development by bridging local artists with their regional and international counterparts.”
This year’s event
The key feature of this year’s fair includes a Bahraini Pavilion exclusive to 36 Bahraini artists funded by Tamkeen. The event also features Eleven international galleries and a General Entry Pavilion for 20 local and international artists. Another unique feature will be the ‘Floating World’ video installation comprising thirty-two, 6-metre wide screens suspended across the exhibition hall. Feature films by internationally renowned artists from Italy, Switzerland, China, UK, Spain, Sharjah, Estonia, Bulgaria, Egypt, Canada, Belgium, Singapore, USA, and Turkey, alongside excerpts from Bahraini documentaries will be screened. A series of talks and workshops under ‘Talks@ArtBAB’, run parallel to the fair.
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