Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Shaikh Sheikh (pronounced or ; ar, شيخ ' , mostly pronounced , plural ' )—also transliterated sheekh, sheyikh, shaykh, shayk, shekh, shaik and Shaikh, shak—is an honorific title in the Arabic language. It commonly designates a chief of a ...
Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa (born 1952) is a member of the
Bahraini royal family The House of Khalifa ( ar, آل خليفة, translit=Āl Khalīfah) is the ruling family of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Al Khalifas profess Sunni Islam and belong to the Anizah tribe, some members of this tribe joined the Utub alliance which m ...
, an artist and the Chairman of Bahrain's National Council for Arts. He is the first president and the current
honorary president A title is one or more words used before or after a person's name, in certain contexts. It may signify either generation, an official position, or a professional or academic qualification. In some languages, titles may be inserted between the f ...
of the Bahrain Arts Society. He has painted over a period of 50 years, beginning with landscape painting in the late 1960's. His recent work continues to explore his immediate landscape and the traditional architecture of his homeland, through wall based, structural installations created with aluminium. He is widely considered one of the Kingdom's most renowned artists.


Biography

Rashid Al Khalifa was born in Riffa in 1952. He is the second son of Shaikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who was the eighth son of
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa ( ar, حمد بن عيسى بن سلمان آل خليفة '; 28 January 1950) is King of Bahrain since 14 February 2002, after ruling as Emir of Bahrain from 6 March 1999. He is the son of Isa bin Salman ...
, the ruler of Bahrain from 1932 until his death in 1942. Rashid was exposed to literature, philosophy and music in high school and his interest in painting was encouraged by the late Emir, Shaikh
Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa (; 3 June 1931 – 6 March 1999) was the first emir of Bahrain from 1961 until his death in 1999. Born in Jasra, Bahrain, he became emir upon the death of his father, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Early life and reign ...
as well as Shaikh
Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa ( ar, خليفة بن سلمان آل خليفة) (24 November 1935 – 11 November 2020) was a Bahraini royal and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Bahrain from 10 January 1970 until his death in 20 ...
, the late Prime Minister of Bahrain (1970-2020), both of whom showed genuine interest in Rashid's work when he participated in a local art exhibition at his high school. Rashid held his first solo exhibition at the Dilmun Hotel, Bahrain, in 1970 when he was just 18 years old, and then moved to the UK in 1972 to study at the Hastings College of Arts and Technology in Sussex. After returning to Bahrain in 1978, inspired by Europe’s greatest Impressionist masters, he began his own renditions of his country’s landscapes, producing a series of atmospheric paintings of the desert, sea, and historical sites. These works were first presented at the Middle East Institute, Washington, D.C., USA, and at the Sheraton Hotel, Bahrain, in 1982. Rashid developed his painting by responding to certain movements and styles such as geometric abstraction, hard-edge painting and colour field work. In 1983, Rashid and a number of other Bahraini artists, formed the Bahrain Arts Society, a non-profit organization for Bahraini artists, whereby Rashid was named its first president. He continues to hold the title of honorary president. The artist’s vital decision to merge elements of his figurative and landscape works in the late 1980s was an entirely conscious one. He was driven by a greater sense of individuality, which emulated the ambiance and aura of his own surroundings. His female figures became barely decipherable, as hints of fabric, suggestions of limbs and movement, and cascades of hair all dispersed into the melding colours of the land. Rashid’s further transformation of his work in the early 1990s denotes his desire to contain and redirect his previously gestural and fleeting. mark making. Gradually becoming more controlled, his imagery began incorporating more decorative elements. This series of works were first presented in 1996 in solo exhibitions at the De Caliet Gallery in Milan, Italy, and the El Kato Kayyel Gallery, Milan, Italy, as well as at the Shuman Arts Organisation in Jordan in 1997. During this time, Rashid also experimented with a shapelier backdrop, forming a triangular prism with three canvases. And while he appreciated its three-dimensionality, which allowed the work to stand unsupported so viewers could look from all angles, he was unsatisfied with the result. Further investigations and an unintentional discovery resulted in his characteristically ‘convex canvas’ which emerged towards the end of the 1990s. Beginning in 2000, this new canvas became the mainstay on which the artist merged all his imagery - landscape, figurative and abstract expressionism - into his own colour field language. From 2006 onwards, along with his continued application of bright and vivid colour schemes, his practice adopted a conceptual framework. Organic shapes and unusual patterns swirled together, allowing for the emergence of animate and abstract imagery. By 2009, his work underwent a definitive change, where the formerly bold lines and distinct forms of the late ‘90s became a synthesis of colour and gesture. Broad sweeps of colour met with blended paint and thick impasto which was then scratched and scraped to reveal the remnant hues and imagery beneath the surface. Employing the convex surface for over a decade, Rashid methodically and continually developed his style with a far more minimalistic approach. In 2010, an important solo exhibition at the Bahrain National of his work, presenting his journey with this newfound form and its Museum entitled ‘Convex: A New Perspective’, showcased a decade influential role on his style and practice. Along with his earlier painterly works, he introduced a new series of lacquer paint, fabric and glue complementing the curvature of the canvas. Rashid manipulated these materials to open up opportunities for light to fall differently on and more intense in nature, imparted far greater dramatic effects. In each surface, thereby emphasizing his multilayered relief technique. The scale of his canvas became grander and the imagery itself, darker essence, this ‘new perspective’ intimated the changes in the physicality of Rashid’s work and ran parallel to his personal growth. His ongoing experimentation signified his need and openness for innovation and renewal. In this phase, Rashid began to consider and equate, to an even greater extent, the susceptibility, mechanics and geometric processes involved in certain aspects of the designs and architecture he visualized in Bahrain’s ever-changing landscapes. He quickly began to incorporate these findings into his practice. The incandescent, smooth lacquer surfaces seen in much of his 2010-2011 work demonstrates his affinity for symmetry and balance in form and purpose. By late 2011, Rashid took this further by experimenting with chrome which allowed him to paint over, manipulate and warp reflections of his environment. This body of work was showcased in solo exhibitions the following year at the Bahrain Financial Harbour, Manama (2012), Beirut Art Fair, Lebanon (2012) and Abu Dhabi Art, UAE (2012). In May 2015 the artist officially participated in the 56th Venice Biennale, Eye of the Thunderstorm: Effervescent Practices from the Arab World’, in both the ‘Nomi/Names’ joint exhibition and a collateral event, ‘The commissioned by the Contemporary Practices Journal. This was followed with his participation in an Arab delegation of artists to Brazil for the TRIO Biennial dedicated to three-dimensional art. Around this time Rashid’s convex surfaces took on textured layers of aluminium, which he manipulated or excised to reveal layering underneath. In doing so, he abandoned the painterly style of previous years to allow for a pristine and symmetrical façade. These structural features, as well as his move towards minimalism, directed his new focus on elemental forms of design and their receptiveness to light and consequent shadows. In 2018, the artist presented a solo show at Ayyam Gallery in Dubai, UAE, entitled ‘Hybrids’, which showcased this transition with a selection of works created between 2015-2017. In the same year, this fresh and innovative approach defined his ‘Parametrics’ series of large-scale installations that premiered, to international acclaim, in a major solo exhibition entitled ‘Penumbra: Textured Shadow, Coloured Light’ at the Saatchi Gallery in London. In continuation of this style, in 2019, Rashid exhibited alongside artist Mary Bauermeister and sound artist Simon Stockhausen at the me Collector's Room, Berlin presenting a selection of his parametrics. In 2020, Rizzoli publishing house, released an elegantly illustrated publication of Rashid Al Khalifa's work, entitled, 'Rashid Al Khalifa, Full Circle', showcasing the artists deep connection to the light and landscape of his homeland. Rashid Al Khalifa’s latest work continues to explore the myriad dynamics of light and colours that are characteristic to Bahrain’s geographical and cultural diversity. His current interests lie in the interaction of these properties to further inform his bold interpretations of his cultural heritage. Through splendidly commanding structures, comprising meticulous forms and complex designs, Rashid’s art practice stands as a contemporary tribute to traditional Middle Eastern design and architecture. Rashid held a government post as the
Undersecretary Undersecretary (or under secretary) is a title for a person who works for and has a lower rank than a secretary (person in charge). It is used in the executive branch of government, with different meanings in different political systems, and is al ...
for Tourism and Archaeology for the Ministry of Culture, Bahrain until June 2011. After the
first Gulf War The Gulf War was a 1990–1991 armed campaign waged by a 35-country military coalition in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Spearheaded by the United States, the coalition's efforts against Iraq were carried out in two key phases: ...
, he was appointed Undersecretary of Immigration, Passports and Residence Affairs. In 2021 he retired from this position and has since been named the Chairman of the newly established National Council for Arts. Al Khalifa is married to Luluwah bint Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, only daughter of Khalifa bin Salman, former
Prime Minister of Bahrain In Bahrain, the Prime Minister is the head of government of the country. According to the Constitution of Bahrain, the Prime Minister is appointed directly by the King of Bahrain, King, and needs not to be an elected member of the Council of Rep ...
. They have six children, three daughters and three sons.


Exhibitions


Solo

2021 Opera Gallery, Dubai, UAE 2021 Tesselate, Mario Mauroner Contemporary Art, Vienna, Austria 2019 In Parallel, Bait Muzna Gallery, Muscat, Oman 2018 Penumbra: Textured Shadow, Coloured Light, Saatchi Gallery, London, UK Hybrids, Ayyam Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, UAE 2012 Reflections, The Waterline Gallery, Bahrain Financial Harbour, Kingdom of Bahrain 2010 Convex: A New Perspective, Bahrain National Museum, Kingdom of Bahrain 1997 Art Department, Shuman Arts Organization, Amman, Jordan 1996 De Caliet Gallery, Milan, Italy El Kato Kayyel Gallery, Milan, Italy 1982 Middle East Institute, Washington, D.C., USA Sheraton Hotel, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain 1970 Dilmun Hotel, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain


Group

2019 Transverse Wave, me Collectors Room Berlin / Olbricht Collection, Berlin, Germany 2017 Convergence: Royal Bridges, Ritz Carlton, Dubai, UAE 2013 In Dialogue, The Waterline Gallery, Kingdom of Bahrain


Fairs

2021 SCOPE International Contemporary Art Show, Miami Beach, Miami, USA 2021 Contemporary Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey 2019 Contemporary Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey 2014 WWALA, Los Angeles, USA Art Dubai, UAE 2013 Zurich Art Fair, Switzerland Abu Dhabi Art, UAE Art Dubai, UAE 2012 Abu Dhabi Art, UAE Beirut Art Fair, Lebanon


Biennals

2019 Moscow Biennale, New Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia 2017 Bridges, Grenada Pavilion, 57th Venice Biennale, Italy Out of Place, 3rd Mediterranean Biennale, Sakhnin Valley, Israel 2015 Arab Delegation, TRIO Biennial, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Nomi/Names Official Exhibition, 56th Venice Biennale, Italy The Eye of the Thunderstorm: Effervescent Practices from the Arab World, Official Collateral Event, 56th Venice Biennale, Italy


Bahrain Arts Society Participation

2016 15/15, Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Heritage, Muharraq, Kingdom of Bahrain Views, Ritz Carlton, Kingdom of Bahrain 2014 Bahrain, Asilah Arts & Culture Forum, Morocco 2013 Bahrain Contemporary Art, Russian Academy, Moscow, Russia 1996 Europe Art Festival, Geneva, Switzerland Bahrain Artists Exhibition, Rome, Italy Sharjah Biennial, UAE 1995 Hotel Du Rond, Geneva, Switzerland World Trade Center, Lausanne, Switzerland 1989 Bahrain Arts Society Exhibition, Cairo, Egypt 1988 Festival of Asian Artists, Malaysia New Art Center, Baghdad, Iraq 1986 First GCC Art Exhibition, Tokyo, Japan 1985 Cairo Biennial, Egypt Alia Center, Amman, Jordan 1984 Bahraini Artists, Leighton House, London, England Salon des Artistes Français, Grand Palais, Paris, France 2007 Bahrain Contemporary Art, UNESCO, Paris, France 2005 Modern Art Exhibition, Royal Ireland College of Surgeons, Dublin, Ireland 2004 32nd Annual Art Exhibition, Bahrain National Museum, Kingdom of Bahrain 2002 Bahrain Culture Week, Amman, Jordan Bahrain Culture Week, Peking, China 1999 Taipei Art Exhibition, Taipei, Taiwan Sharjah Biennial, Sharjah, UAE Dilmun Exhibition, Paris, France 1998 Bahrain Arts Society Exhibition, Gallery Alexander, Ladoux, France 1997 Art Expo Singapore, Singapore Art America Exhibition, Miami, USA Europe Art Festival, Geneva, Switzerland Bahrain Arts Society Exhibition, Cannes, France


Honours and awards


Honours


National honours


Foreign honours

* Anhaltese Ducal Family: Knight Grand Cross of the Ducal Order of Albert the BearRashid Al Khalifa
/ref>


Awards

*1991 GCC Golden Palm Award Doha *1989 GCC Dana Award Kuwait


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa 20th-century Bahraini people 20th-century painters 21st-century Bahraini people 21st-century painters 1952 births Living people Bahraini artists Bahraini contemporary artists House of Khalifa