Rashid Al Khalifa

In the artist's words:

Rashid Al Khalifa, born in 1952 in the Kingdom of Bahrain, is one of the most important contemporary artists in the Gulf region. His artistic career began in the 1970s with impressionist-influenced landscape painting. In 1972, he moved to the UK to study at Hastings College of Arts and Technology in Sussex - a formative experience that had a lasting impact on his artistic development.

Over the decades, he continued to develop his practice - from figurative representations to geometric abstraction and minimalist installations with architectural and sculptural elements. His invention of the "convex canvas", with which he re-staged space, light and perception, was particularly influential.

Rashid's works reflect the profound changes in Bahrain's landscape and culture. He combines traditional architectural motifs with contemporary materials such as aluminum and lacquer to create poetic spaces of transition and transformation. His work has been shown internationally, including at the Saatchi Gallery London, the Venice Biennale and the Liechtenstein National Museum. Al Khalifa is considered an important bridge builder between past and future, between tradition and innovation.

In 2020, he founded the RAK Art Foundation in Riffa, Bahrain - an institution dedicated to promoting artists, supporting intercultural cooperation and building international partnerships. A passionate art collector and patron of the arts, he currently holds the position of Chairman of the Bahrain National Arts Council.