A LIVE workshop on portrait painting, orchestrated by renowned instructors from the United States and Mumbai, took place in Bahrain as part of a recent collaboration between global artists and the Rashid Al Khalifa (RAK) Art Foundation.
The endeavour, hosted under the auspices of chairman of the National Arts Council Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, marked a pivotal moment for aspiring artists across the region.
“Encouragement from a young age is very important,” said Shaikh Rashid. “Providing youngsters and talented individuals the opportunities whilst giving them praise is very important. It happened to me and I now want to do it for others.”
During the workshop’s announcement, he expressed enthusiasm for the burgeoning interest in the arts, noting the overwhelming response from applicants, despite space limitations allowing only a select 10 participants.
In his address, he shared aspirations for future workshops, underscoring the necessity of fostering more opportunities for artistic exploration.
Shaikha Latifa Abdulrahman Fares Al Khalifa, the director for The Art Station, also shed light on forthcoming initiatives, adding: “We plan on opening a new educational space for the arts early next year, alongside a residency programme to host a variety of global artists.”
She elucidated the event’s journey, acknowledging the challenges posed by the recent Covid-19 global pandemic, which necessitated the postponement of the workshop initially scheduled for 2020.
During an insightful discussion, Shaikh Rashid’s admiration for artists Suchitra Bhosle and Pramod Kurlekar became evident. His appreciation for their work prompted their invitation as esteemed art instructors for the workshop.
Shaikh Rashid’s direct engagement with Ms Bhosle through social media platform Instagram not only initiated their collaboration but also fostered a flourishing artistic relationship.
Ms Bhosle and Mr Kurlekar, sharing a unified artistic vision, collaboratively led the workshop, enriching the participants’ experiences.
A poignant revelation emerged during the conversation, illuminating the chairman’s personal journey and the profound impact of encouragement on nurturing artistic talent.
Reflecting on his own pivotal moment, Shaikh Rashid recounted a secondary school memory where recognition for his artistic abilities kindled an enduring passion. A prize comprising a book on Italian artist Canaletto and a set of paints became the catalyst that fortified his dedication to the craft.
Shaikh Rashid fervently emphasised the significance of recognition and support in shaping burgeoning artists’ trajectories. His experience, resonating with the vital role of acknowledgment and encouragement during formative years, reiterated the importance to cultivate and commend artistic prowess in youth.
As the dialogue unfolded, Shaikh Rashid underscored the council’s commitment to fostering creativity across diverse artistic domains. The promise of upcoming workshops and platforms geared towards nurturing young talent illuminated its dedication to cultivating Bahrain’s artistic landscape.
This initiative stands as a beacon of hope, advocating for the empowerment of emerging talents and nurturing their artistic flair.
Shaikh Rashid’s impassioned plea to inspire and uplift artists in all spheres resonates profoundly, echoing the sentiment that encouragement and opportunities serve as the cornerstone for a vibrant and thriving artistic community.
Bahrain stands poised at the cusp of an artistic renaissance, buoyed by the commitment of leaders like Shaikh Rashid, who ardently champion the cause of artistry, recognition and encouragement.
This collaborative effort between global artists and the RAK Art Foundation signifies a significant stride towards fostering a culture that celebrates and nurtures the creative spirit and aims to be a testament of the kingdom’s enduring commitment to the arts.
- Follow @rakartfoundation on Instagram for the latest updates.
jayne@gdnmedia.bh
The lucky art students participating were:
Hussain Saleh
Kaav Ranj
Mebin Varghese
David Bruce
Dana Khaled Hasan
Mustafa Alnasheet
Abdulla Alnajjar
Taiba Marhoom
Dwa Al Khalifa
Suha Chaouachi
From left, Mr Kurlekar, Shaikh Rashid and Ms Bhosle
PRAMOD KURLEKAR
Born in Satara, in India’s western Maharashtra state, he is an internationally acclaimed professional artist. He graduated and earned a first class Diploma in Art from Kalavishwa Mahavidhyalaya Sangli in 2000. He has participated in several art events and joined a two-year fine arts residential programme under the great artist Shri Vasudeo Kamat. Critics have described his celebrated paintings of children as a ‘visual treat to the eyes’ with an approach to subjective paintings considered ‘realistic’ in several ways. Mr Kurlekar’s paintings are often subjective which outlines a strong theme or topic of importance. He has received many prestigious national and international art honours.
SUCHITRA BHOSLE
She is an India-born artist based in Illinois. She draws inspiration from 20th-century naturalist painters and embraces impressionism to depict everyday representational scenes. The artist excels at capturing and expressing the mood of her subjects, often in contemplative classical settings. Though primarily a portrait and figurative painter, she has recently been painting urban and architectural subjects. Ms Bhosle’s work has been displayed in leading fine art galleries across the US, including Santa Fe, Washington DC, Carmel and Houston. Her paintings have won awards at international juried shows hosted by The Portrait Society of America, Oil Painters of America and American Impressionist Society.
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