Bahrain To Host The Global Brush Exhibition
The exhibition will be inaugurated by the Guest of Honor and renowned artist, Sheikh Rashid Al Khalifa, a member of the Bahraini royal family. He will be joined by ambassadors from Jordan and various other nations. Alongside the exhibition, a vibrant programme of cultural and artistic events will enrich the experience, including panel discussions, seminars, and guided visits to both the National Museum and the Rashid Al Khalifa Gallery.
Global Brush aspires to establish a seasonal and itinerant presence among world capitals, aiming to bridge distances between artists, scholars, and an engaged public. Al- Dar Gallery's vision is to continually renew and expand this artistic platform-fostering dialogue, cultural exchange, intellectual stimulation, critical thinking, research, and creative vitality.
'Our bond with Bahrain is profoundly rooted,' expressed Mr. Mohammed Hazaimeh. 'We are united by our shared humanity, and art stands as a testament to a society's evolution -a universal language and the most refined medium of communication and exchange. Such forums serve as invaluable conduits for dialogue and the exchange of culture and artistic expression. They nurture artistic endeavors, foster critical and intellectual discourse, and attract vibrant creative talent.' This vision is brought to life through Al-Dar Art Gallery's unwavering commitment to providing a dynamic, ever-evolving platform for artists, consistently curating exhibitions and forums that amplify the artist's voice and mission.
Mrs. Maram Hassan added, 'Global Brush is an invaluable platform for artists-Arab and international alike. It serves as a meeting ground that bridges gaps in mutual understanding and generates ideas. Artists play a vital role in cross-border cultural relations. Through the Global Brush initiative, we strive to foster deeper understanding and enduring connections for the benefit of all. Our bond with Bahrain is one of enduring brotherhood. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the participating artists and to the organizers at Al Ayam, whose efforts ensured the seamless delivery of this message.'
On this distinguished occasion, artist Ali Yousef Ahmadi-Director of Administrative and Financial Affairs at Al Ayam Publishing Establishment and the supervising coordinator of this art exhibition-expressed his delight and warm welcome in hosting this international artistic event in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Organized in collaboration with Al-Dar Art Gallery in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the exhibition is held under the esteemed patronage of Al Ayam Publishing House.
'Since its inception, Al Ayam has remained steadfast in its commitment to fostering cultural and artistic enrichment, notably through the launch and continuous support of the 'Al Ayam Annual Cultural Festival,' one of the largest gatherings of publishing houses in the Arab world, held for over 27 consecutive years.' Mr. Ahmadi underscored the institution's enduring dedication to advancing the cultural and artistic landscape within the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Also read: Bahrain Extends Midday Summer Work Ban To Three Months Starting 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Weekly
a day ago
- Gulf Weekly
Woolly warmth
melissa@ A crocheted wollyback, reminiscent of the popular labubu toy, is winning the hearts of people in Bahrain as it aims to raise awareness about autism and support individuals on the spectrum. Arroy the Lamb, dubbed as the 'Bahraini Labubu', is a fun twist on the viral international trend, and is the initiative of Alia Early Intervention and Rehabilitation Centre, which has designed it as an extension of a story series to help young minds navigate difficult situations. The toy was brought alive through a collaboration with Bahraini women specialising in local handmade products, and continues to be handcrafted by bright young individuals at the Alia centre. It is based on Arroy, a lovable character steeped in Bahraini culture and widely featured in children's stories. 'Grandparents tell these tales when children in the family do not listen,' the centre's public relations head Khalid Al Awadhi explained, adding that their new story, entitled Arroy the Lamb, hopes to help children, including young adults at the centre, with the anxiety associated with hospital visits. 'It is a story for all kids and the first in a planned series of social stories designed to help children understand everyday situations in a calm, reassuring way,' Khalid added. 'It was developed through collaboration between our students, teachers and therapists, so it really reflects what our children need to see and hear. The aim is to build confidence, reduce anxiety, and make these experiences feel familiar and safe.' Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental condition marked by disruptions in brain signalling that cause people to behave, communicate, interact and learn in atypical ways. Currently, Alia centre works with 160 individuals on the spectrum, aged from six to 45 years. The toy, Arroy the Lamb, and the story book are available at Halla by Alia café in A'ali, the kingdom's first café run by young adults with autism. Proceeds from the sales of the toy will be used towards the centre and for the individuals it works with. 'Arroy is more than a handmade toy; it's a symbol of connection,' the centre's director Dr Shaikha Rania Al Khalifa told GulfWeekly. 'Watching our students and team bring Arroy to life reminds me daily that small things, made with care, can make a big difference,' she added. Each Arroy is handmade by the centre's boys and girls, giving it a one-of-a-kind charm. 'Every purchase helps students develop creative and work skills while raising public awareness about autism. It's a small symbol of Bahraini creativity, inclusion, and community spirit,' said an employee at the centre, who works directly with the young adults. 'Crocheting Arroy with the children has been such a grounding experience. You see them relax, follow patterns, and express themselves. It helps them handle big feelings in a gentle, tangible way,' the employee added. While there are no treatments or cures for autism, intervention with supportive measures, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, social skills training, sensory integration therapy, visual aids, structured routines, individualised education plans, family therapy and providing a calm and predictable environment, remains critical for improving cognitive, social and communication skills in children with ASD. The Arroy toy is priced at BD16.
Gulf Weekly
a day ago
- Gulf Weekly
Spotlighting Arab cinema
Creative Zaid Sater has made history as the first Bahraini filmmaker to have a project featured at the CineYouth Festival in Chicago. Mixed Signals, his latest short film, explores the inner world of an Arab immigrant turning to dating apps; not in defiance of tradition, but in search of connection. 'It's a huge honour, and honestly, a bit surreal,' Zaid told GulfWeekly. 'Being the first Bahraini filmmaker at CineYouth is meaningful not just on a personal level, but also because it signals that stories from the Gulf are starting to find space on international stages,' the 22-year-old, who was raised in Dubai and trained in Los Angeles, added. 'The story follows an Arab immigrant who turns to dating apps, not out of rebellion, but out of loneliness. For me, it's less about romance and more about how tradition and technology collide in really personal ways. 'Mixed Signals was inspired by conversations I've had with friends about what it means to search for connection when your cultural background is wired for privacy and silence around desire. I hope audiences walk away thinking about how much of our identity is shaped not just by where we come from, but by what we choose to hide or reveal in the digital world.' Zaid's nuanced exploration of identity isn't limited to one film. It's central to his broader creative philosophy. He isn't interested in fitting into categories and is carving out a cinematic language that refuses to be boxed in. This fusion of identities – regional, cultural and artistic – has become the core of his creative voice. 'Diasporic identity isn't just about leaving one place for another; it's about constantly negotiating who you are in relation to where you are. That's something I've felt deeply growing up between the Gulf and the West.' Zaid is particularly drawn to stories that sit in between binary ideas of East and West, or old and new. 'A lot of young Arabs today are navigating complex inner lives, faith, family pressure, shame, pride, love, all while engaging with the same digital culture as everyone else. That blend creates a kind of emotional whiplash that I think deserves more screen time.' Though rooted in the region, Zaid's work has been shaped just as much by his experiences in the US. 'I grew up with a Bahraini father, an Iraqi mother, and spent most of my childhood in Dubai. Visiting Bahrain often kept me grounded in my roots and gave me a strong sense of cultural identity. Then later, moving to the US for film school (Emerson College) gave me the cinematic tools to express those experiences more clearly. 'One thing that really stood out to me in Los Angeles was how much personal identity is celebrated; how you're encouraged to turn your unique background into your creative voice. Ironically, being away from home actually made me embrace my heritage more deeply,' he explained. This cultural fluidity has led him to develop what he describes as a 'dual vision'. 'The Gulf, with its deeply private social fabric, teaches you to communicate through what's left unsaid — through gesture, tone, and subtext. LA, on the other hand, is all about bold expression and pushing visual storytelling to its limits. As a filmmaker, I'm constantly trying to bridge those two ways of seeing the world; the Arab instinct for emotional subtlety and the Western emphasis on structure, spectacle and psychological depth.' Zaid co-wrote Mixed Signals with creative partner and fellow filmmaker Ibrahim Fitaihi. Together, they also co-founded Obscura Films, a production company created to give voice to under-represented filmmakers. That collaboration is part of a wider mission. 'Growing up, I rarely saw stories that reflected the realities of people like me, Arabs navigating layered identities across different cultures. Too many stories about the Middle East were either filtered through an outsider's gaze or reduced to clichés. We wanted to create a space where diasporic filmmakers could tell stories on their own terms, with nuance, humour, and emotional complexity. 'When we started Obscura, it wasn't just about representation, it was about reclaiming authorship. We're especially drawn to projects that feel culturally specific but emotionally universal; stories that explore identity, migration, class, and generational tension, but in unexpected or genre-bending ways,' he said. Looking to the future, Zaid hopes to build on the momentum of Mixed Signals, not just as an individual director, but through Obscura's expanding slate. 'My aspirations for my filmmaking career and for Obscura Films are deeply rooted in the goal of making a meaningful mark in Arab and Middle Eastern representation in cinema,' he noted. He envisions a moment when global audiences will meet Arab stories on their own terms. 'Much like how Parasite and Squid Game created a cultural bridge that invited the world to explore Korean cinema on its own terms, I want our projects to connect our culture with the world in a way that feels authentic and grounded, never exoticised,' he said.
Gulf Insider
2 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Danah: Meet Kuwait's AI-Generated Influencer Taking Over TikTok And Social Media
Brace yourself, Kuwait has officially joined the global virtual influencer trend with the introduction of Danah—a hyperreal, AI-generated content creator who is already making waves across TikTok and Instagram. In a recent video tour of the newly launched Villa Shams Beach Club, Danah appeared polished, confident, and indistinguishable from any human influencer. But what sets her apart is simple: she doesn't exist. Created by Kuwaiti content studio @ Danah is the brainchild of Abdulaziz Al-Rashed, a digital artist and entrepreneur exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and cultural storytelling. According to Al-Rashed, Danah was built to do more than simply look good on screen. 'She represents a new way of telling stories that reflect our identity, values, and lifestyle—while embracing cutting-edge technology,' he said. Unlike earlier iterations of AI avatars designed purely for entertainment or advertising, Danah is positioned as both a personality and a practical tool. One of her core purposes is to represent business owners who may not feel comfortable appearing on camera themselves, whether for cultural, personal, or professional reasons. 'She gives people a voice without forcing them into the spotlight,' Al-Rashed explained. 'Not everyone wants to become the face of their brand, but everyone wants to be heard.' Danah is programmed to appear relatable, approachable, and culturally aware—qualities often missing from overly generic virtual personas. Her content is curated to reflect regional aesthetics and norms while still maintaining broad digital appeal. Still, her arrival sparks questions about authenticity in the influencer space. As the line between real and virtual continues to blur, critics argue that audiences may find it harder to trust content that isn't anchored in real-life experience. Others worry about the impact on creative industries, where human voices are already being challenged by machine-generated content. There's also skepticism about emotional connection. 'It might look impressive at first,' said one TikTok user in the comments section. 'But it's hard to connect with something that isn't real—no matter how pretty it looks.' That hasn't stopped Danah from gaining traction. Her carefully crafted presence, sleek visuals, and professionally scripted delivery are already generating buzz online. For some, she represents the future of branding and communication. For others, she's a sign of how far AI has infiltrated everyday life. As for what comes next, Al-Rashed says his team is already developing customised virtual personalities for private clients—including business owners, lifestyle brands, and even institutions seeking digital ambassadors. Danah, it seems, is just the beginning. Her Instagram handle is @ and her TikTok content can be found at @ in case you're wondering what Kuwait's next-generation influencer actually looks like.
