Latest news with #Quintessence
Daily Tribune
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Shines Abroad
TDT | Manama Bahraini artist Rashid Al Khalifa has opened his solo exhibition, Quintessence, at QGallery in Berlin, offering European audiences a bold reimagination of Gulf artistic heritage. Running until August 22, the show has drawn a strong turnout, reflecting growing international interest in contemporary art from the region. Tradition meets movement The exhibition features kinetic installations made of aluminium, designed to react to changes in light and the movement of visitors. Inspired by the traditional Mashrabiya, a hallmark of Gulf architecture, Al Khalifa transforms ornamental latticework into immersive modern compositions that invite reflection. His work blends structure and emotion, bridging history and forward-looking design while offering a sensory journey that speaks to Bahrain's evolving identity. Cultural dialogue Speaking at the opening, Rashid Al Khalifa said the exhibition was an opportunity to connect Bahrain's spirit with global audiences. 'I'm delighted to present my work in a city like Berlin, known for its cultural openness and love of contemporary art. This exhibition presents a unique opportunity to connect the Gulf with international audiences and share an artistic message that reflects Bahrain's spirit, history, and growth,' he said. He added that he hopes the exhibition helps Bahraini art gain more global recognition. Berlin's cultural canvas Set in a multicultural quarter of Berlin, QGallery provides an apt backdrop for the show. The location is surrounded by signs of Middle Eastern life, from markets to traditional food and fabrics, offering an organic context for the exhibition's themes. Art historian and independent curator Cornelia Lauf praised the artist's material sophistication and the way his work fits into real-life, lived culture. 'Sheikh Rashid's work looks great in all kinds of contexts, as it's a material work of the mind,' she noted. With Quintessence, Rashid Al Khalifa not only brings Bahraini aesthetics to a global audience but also repositions the Kingdom's cultural identity in the heart of Europe's art capital.
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Rashid Al Khalifa: Artist and member of the Bahraini royal family brings his latest exhibition Quintessence to Berlin gallery
Sheikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa is bringing his latest exhibition, Quintessence, to The Q Gallery in Berlin. Opening on June 27 at 7pm, it's the first time the striking installations of the artist and member of the Bahraini royal family will be on view in Berlin. The gallery's website reports: 'Quintessence offers a fresh perspective on the art and culture of Bahrain - beyond common cliché.' Al Khalifa 'combines traditional patterns with contemporary forms, reflecting the cultural, architectural, and environmental transformations of his homeland through kinetic aluminum installations. 'Light, space, and symbolic motifs—such as the waxing moon—feature prominently in works like Waves V, Coral, and Grey Circle. Inspired by the ornamental latticework of Gulf architecture, Al Khalifa creates poetic, multilayered works that build bridges between past and future.' He spoke of his art background to MailOnline and said: 'I became interested in art at around the age of 14-15 years old. Bahrain was a British protectorate in the late sixties and it was frequented by many British visitors. 'One of which was an artist called I had the chance to attend one of his workshops and I was fascinated by his style of painting which consisted of cloudy and misty scenes. 'I was also exposed to the famous 17th century British artist J.M.W. Turner. His atmospheric paintings touched me from within. It reflected the cloudy and misty weather of the Alps but in my case it reminded me of the sandy days in Bahrain. 'At the last year of my high school, I held my first solo art exhibition which was a big success, well attended and I sold a few paintings which made me proud of myself.' Al Khalifa said he dreamed of travelling after completing his studies and added: 'After school I really was desperate to leave the country and wanted to study abroad. 'The only opportunity I got was to go to the police academy at Hendon in London. I accepted and went to the UK. 'I had to study English first and while I was studying at an English school in Hastings. I took some evening classes at the art institute. The headmistress then encouraged me to enrol full time. I didn't hesitate for a minute. I finished my education in 1975 in art and design.' He continued: 'In 1983, along with some young artists we formed an art society and the aim was to promote and nurture artists on the island. 'During that time we had a visit by then the president of the Royal Academy in London Sir Hugh Casson - this was a visit to remember. 'I continued painting mainly in landscape and fugitive works during the Eighties. In the Nineties my work started to become more abstract and from the turn of the century I moved to more minimalist work. 'I started to use aluminium as support which was suitable to my style. 'While painting and nurturing young artists , I started collecting art as well. By 2015, I had enough artworks to have them displayed. In 2020, I turned my family old house into an art foundation and named it the RAK art foundation. 'In 2017, I had a solo show at Saatchi art gallery which lured me towards art installations. 'Then in 2023, I participated in Art d'Eygpte by the great pyramids and exhibiting by the pyramids of Giza was just magical. 'For the last two years I have been participating in the Treasure House art fair in Chelsea.' Early next year will see the opening of Al Khalifa's museum for Middle Eastern and North African art.
Spectator
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Spectator
The worst thing Kneecap did? Apologise
Going to Glasto this year with your little tent? I only ask because the average age of people who attend this extortionate smugfest is now not terribly distant from that of people who read this magazine. So it is possible that some of you are off to watch good old Neil Young, Nick Lowe and Gary Numan (the average age of headliners has almost tripled since the festival began in 1970) – and, of course, Kneecap, the British band who affiliate themselves with the Provisional IRA, Hamas and Hezbollah. But more about those lovable bhoys in a moment. The festival was truly counter-cultural for a handful of years. At that first event you could sit in the damp grass and watch the yet-to-be-abbreviated Tyrannosaurus Rex and the prog-rock raga jazz awfulness of Quintessence while coping with the symptoms of botulism occasioned by your beanburger. The average age of festival-goers was about 25; it is now nearly double that. The counter-culture has become the predominant culture – and attendance, performative in itself, verifies the individual as being on the progressive wing of society. You vote Green or Labour or Lib Dem; you support 'Palestine', even if you are not wholly sure what is meant by 'from the river to the sea'; you are proud to recycle. OK, you're a little alarmed at the rise in Jimi and Olivia's school fees this year as a consequence of those new taxes, and you are holding off from installing a heat pump for now. By and large, though, you're on message, you're down with da kidz. Except the kidz aren't there because they find it just a tad embarrassing.
