ArtBahrain kicks off

The inaugural edition of the ArtBahrain, first of its kind in the Kingdom, got off to a roaring start yesterday with many international artists and gallerists from across the world showcasing their art works.

The five-day art exhibition, which was inaugurated yesterday by HH Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Personal Representative of His Majesty the King, also the deputy patron for the event in patronised by Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa.

Galleries such as the UK-based Albemarle Gallery, Al Riwaq from Bahrain, the Arab Fine Arts Hall of Saudi Arabia, Marsam Mattar and the Marsa Gallery from Tunisia are participating in the fair which is held within the premises of Bahrain Bay. On the first day, visitors got a chance to interact with leaders in the field of art from all over the world.

After the inauguration, HH Shaikh Abdullah toured the various pavilions of fair. He expressed his pride in Bahrain's arts movement, its high attainment akin to international schools of art. He lauded the national efforts in hosting art shows, which has placed Bahrain on the global map.

ArtBahrian is being held in partnership with the Economic Development Board (EDB) and Tamkeen and is sponsored by GHF financial group, the Bahrain Airport Company, the Bahrain Development Bank, Moda Mall, the Rolls Royce cars, the Four Season Hotel, DHL company, Miracle company, Café La Vazza and various other leading media establishment in the Kingdom. The fair also features a series of interactive workshops and forums conducted by experts.

Anthony Phuong, the co-founder of the famous Paris-based A2Z art gallery, said he was delighted to share the artworks from his gallery here in Bahrain. “I have various arts from Chinese, Japanese and Arabic artists. There is one special art that I brought here to Bahrain which is a collaborative work featuring a Japanese artist and an Algerian artist. It is based on the theme 'water' and it is something special because two people - one Japanese and one Arab - worked on it mixing their ideas into one art," he said.

Thaviby Gallery Managing Director Jorn Middelborg said, "We brought to Bahrain works by an Burmese artist. He is 85 years old who has been a mentor for generations of young artists. He is most famous for the dynamics - the movements in his paintings and the masterful blending of colours.We also have a works from Thai artists and Vietnamese artists," he said. The fair, which opens from 11am to 7pm, will continue till October 16.