Preparations are in Full Swing for the First Edition of ArtBahrain 2015

Held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Sheikha Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty the King of Bahrain and President of the Supreme Council for Women, the first edition of ArtBahrain is preparing to host reputed Arab and international artists and galleries when it opens its doors next month in the Kingdom of Bahrain, from October 13 to 16, 2015. A specially-designed marquee is currently being constructed in Bahrain’s capital Manama to accommodate the artist exhibits, the galleries and a dedicated Bahraini pavilion

ArtBahrain will be a melting pot of artists, gallerists, cognoscenti and art lovers from Bahrain and around the world, sharing space, ideas and inspiration. This prominent art exhibition will provide an ideal platform for the local, regional and global art communities to engage, synergize and stimulate creativity, promoting Bahrain’s emerging talent and celebrating the region’s artistic vivacity as a whole.

The inaugural art fair has received very positive support from acclaimed figures and art galleries from the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia, and will feature diverse art aptitudes ranging from  classic acrylic to sculpture, and digital photography to new age installation.  Countries that will be represented in addition to Bahrain, include Oman, United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine, Tunisia, India, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Austria, Kenya and Thailand, with more participants being added to the list.

Leading Arab artists who will be displaying their work independently include Mattar bin Lahej (UAE), Radhika Hamlai (Oman) and Nasr Warour (Syria). Global artists include Sacha Jafri (UK), Nespolo Ugo (Italy), Satish Gupta (India), Sujata Bajaj (France), Jaideep Mehrotra (India) ; international art galleries include Albermarle Gallery (UK), GPL Contemporary (Austria), Gallery Shchukina (UK) and Trade Art Gallery (Italy). Leading Bahraini participants include Jamal Abdul Rahim, Faika Al Hassan, Sheikha Marwa Bint Rashid Al Khalifa, Shaikha Lulwa Bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, Uzma Dadabhai, Fuad Al Binfalah, Ali Mahmeed and Mariam Fakhro.

Co-founder of ArtBahrain, Kaneka Subberwal, explained: ‘We are delighted with the tremendous enthusiasm and support we have received from renowned galleries and artists, and we are very confident ArtBahrain will become a premiere event regionally and internationally. Events such as ArtBahrain can go a long way in encouraging the next generation of artists in the region and projecting the vibrant Arabian art scene on a global level”.

“Bahrain has a refined level of appreciation and talent for art, which makes it a great location for an international art fair; the Kingdom is fast emerging as a major player in the art world and it is pertinent that we partner with these global institutions to allow the regional arts community to flourish, fuelling investment in the country as a result”, further commented Subberwal who is also the Founder and Managing Director of Art Select, an art advisory that has curated the fair. 

Also on the agenda at ArtBahrain will be a series of interactive workshops and forums conducted by experts to encourage new collectors and the next generation of artists. Art investors of various backgrounds will share their first-hand experiences with visitors on collecting with the goal of elevating awareness about the art world. Visitors to the fair will also be invited to enjoy the first ever Art Lounge at an art fair, which aims to be an interactive platform, both social and cultural, encompassing a bookshop, an art supplies store and an artists’ working arena.

As part of the Art Bahrain project a book published by Miracle Publishing and authored by Mr. Renaud Siegmann will be launched especially for the event. This fully illustrated book will serve as a portfolio for 33 of Bahrain’s most prominent artists alongside personal interviews with them. The book offers a unique insight into the Kingdom’s emerging art scene and gives an opportunity to discover the long time commitment of modern and contemporary Bahraini artists as well as the new generations of mid-career and emerging artists.