‘Bahrain makes strong artistic statement at La Biennale Paris’

As the “Guest of Honour Country” in this year’s prestigious art show La Biennale Paris, the Kingdom of Bahrain is all set to make a strong cultural statement that combines its thriving contemporary art movement, its timeless craft heritage and a specially produced film on the Kingdom’s cultural persona, ArtBAB said in a statement issued. The Bahrain Pavilion at La Biennale, aims to strengthen creative links between France and Bahrain, promoting cross cultural dialogue.

Celebrating Bahrain’s rich history as one of the oldest cultures in the Middle East, the pavilion is intended to introduce art collectors and enthusiasts to Bahrain’s artists and artisanal craftsmen. “The presence of the Kingdom of Bahrain as a Guest of Honour at La Biennale Paris has given a new international dimension to the show,” said Mathias Ary Jan, President of the Syndicat National des Antiquaires, which organises the biennale.

The Gala Dinner that traditionally marks the opening of La Biennale Paris was attended by Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chairman of Tamkeen, the Strategic Partner of ArtBAB and Ambassador of Bahrain to France, Dr Mohammed Abdulghaffar Abdulla. “The presence of the Kingdom with 21 artists and nine artisans in a specially designed 364 square-metre ArtBAB Pavilion – which is the largest in the show - is expected to take forward a different narrative about Bahrain on the world stage, one that will underscore the vivid cultural sensitivity and heritage of the Kingdom,” said Kaneka Subberwal, under whose direction the Biennale project has come to fruition.

“This is also a double celebration, as, for the first time, nine of Bahrain’s traditional artisans too were part of the exhibitors, taking the narrative of the Kingdom’s rich legacy and heritage to an audience of art connoisseurs.” This will be the second time that Art Select has taken Bahraini artists to Paris, having organised a hugely successful Bahrain Art Week in Paris at exactly the same time last year.