05 February 2022
In the Presence of H.E Shaikha Mai, Al-Riwaq Art Space Re-Opens its doors at “The Bank House”
Al Riwaq Art Space has finally decided to re-open its doors to visitors and artists and will resume its beautiful art shows, namely through the opening of a group art exhibition “Visual Acuity 20/20” in “The Bank House” in Gufool area in Manama. The event was celebrated in the presence of H.E Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, and a number of artists, and Ms. Bayan Kanoo, person-in.charge of Al Riwaq Space, on Saturday, 5 February 2022.
H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa commented on his happy cultural event saying: “Today, we are pleased to see how art and cultural activities have resumed at Al-Riwaq, in a specially dedicated space, a place devoted to the flourishing of civil society’s cultural work. This will certainly contribute, together with the official governmental culture oriented projects to further development of the art scene in the Kingdom of Bahrain." H.E added saying that this marvelous space, which has always been a thriving fine art niche restores life to one of the historical sites that reflects the genuine character and original characteristics of the urban fabric of Bahraini cities. It also revives the memory of a house that has embraced and witnessed the development and prosperity of the economic movement in the Kingdom, H.E argued.
H.E wished Al Riwaq Art Space lovers, Ms. Bayan Kanoo and the staff organizers all success, as well as all bright achievements for the artists displaying in this exhibition, looking forward to Al Riwaq's participation in the Spring of Culture Festival, which begins on February 25.
Worth to mention, “Visual Acuity 20/20” exhibition reflects Al Riwaq Art Space's keenness to develop culture and art quality-based education. Indeed, in the fall of 2019, the first edition of the NEXUS ("The Link") program brought together 16 male and female artists to research topics related to art history and concepts of contemporary art. This pioneering program featured a discussion panel on art notions, concepts and then merging them with the artists' autobiographical narratives. This experience resulted in a qualitative shift in the artists' personal methods. This exhibition presents the artists' multiple perspectives and visions based on “Nexus” sessions dialogue program.
Artists taking part in this exhibition are Sumaya AbdulGhani, Ghaliya Abdul-Jawad, Hayat Hassan, Mohammad Hujairi, Fatma Jomaa, Irina Kotova, Sara Madan, Shayma Shamsi, Kareema Sharabi, Jaafar Al-Haddad, Shadha Al-Hussaini, May al Moataz, Tamara Baji Gee, Ahmad Achour and Ghadeer Habib.
Since it was established by owner Bayan Kanoo, Al Riwaq Art Space, which is a non-profit space supporting contemporary art practice established in 1998, has contributed to the promotion of and enhancement of creativity and art value providing exhibition space to emerging and established artists, both local and international. The main objectives of the art space is to establish a platform for artists and the public to exchange ideas, provoke intellectual debate, promote, encourage and develop creative thinking and nurture cultural production. Its mission, being to support the community and the various types of art, through diverse projects, education, residency program, exhibitions, public events, has certainly led to the birth of Complex 338 in Adliya area. There, Al Riwaq, by opening its doors at the Bank House in Gufool, is beginning a new chapter in its history. In addition to their core focus on knowledge transfer and global art histories, the company will also focus on art production and presentation. Through presentations, performances, discussions, film screenings, street art and exhibits, the platform will complement the learning process. They are all intended to enhance Bahrain’s creativity.
Giving local artists and creatives a platform through which to hone and improve their skills is what Al Riwaq Art Space is all about. “Nurturing a creative ecosystem is one of the most important ways we can make the world a better place,” says Kanoo.
As for the “Al-Bank House”, worth to mention that it is the home of Standard Chartered Bank in the Gufool area, Manama, and it celebrated, in February 2020 its 100th Anniversary, when its first came to be known in Bahrain as Eastern Bank. In recent years, the Bank House has hosted exhibitions that shed light on the development of ancient and historical places in Bahrain, by reviving what remains of the main building of Standard Chartered Bank House, which was abandoned by the Bank more than ten years ago, as it was dedicated to the CEOs of the Bank over the past decades.
