Art Legacy Struck
Juffair Landmark Sustains Severe Losses to Halls and Historic Collections from Iranian Attacks
TDT | Manama
Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com
A cornerstone of the Kingdom’s cultural heritage sustained significant damage following an Iranian attack that struck the Bahrain Contemporary Art Association in Juffair. The strike directly impacted the institution’s artistic environment, causing extensive structural damage to several exhibition halls, ceilings, and internal facilities.
Beyond the architectural destruction, officials report that several exhibited artworks were damaged or ruined. These pieces hold immense cultural and historical value, as they document decades of Bahrain’s national art movement. The disruption paralyzed several creative spaces, raising deep concerns among the association’s 70-plus members, which include prominent painters, calligraphers, and ceramicists.
Founded in 1970, the Bahrain Contemporary Art Association is the country’s first official institution dedicated to visual arts. Established by a group of pioneering artists, it held its first milestone exhibition in May 1971. The association has long been recognized for its contributions to the national landscape, most notably in 1984 when its members were honored by the late HRH Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. Among those pioneers was the late Abdulkarim Al Orrayed, a former chairman who received the Bahrain Encouragement Award for his role in elevating Bahraini art on the global stage.
Reports from inside the Juffair facility indicate that the upper halls and dedicated workshops were the most severely affected. Urgent calls now demand a comprehensive damage assessment and immediate restoration measures to save the remaining collections. For the local community, the building is more than just a gallery; its traditional architectural character serves as a vital meeting point for the exchange of expertise and creative expression.
Today, the association faces its greatest challenge: restoring its physical facilities while preserving its vast artistic legacy. As the hub of the visual arts movement in Bahrain, the focus remains on ensuring that this vital institution can continue to support and inspire future generations of Bahraini artists despite the recent devastation.
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