Liechtenstein Landesmuseum, Stadtle 43, FL-9490 Vaduz
June 16th- September 7th, 2022
This June 16th, the Liechtenstein Landesmuseum opens SPECTRUM, a solo exhibition presenting a selection of the latest work by renowned Bahraini artist Rashid Al Khalifa.
Rashid Al Khalifa’s Spectrum series employs traditional Middle Eastern architectural principles, such as those seen throughout Bahraini artist Rashid Al Khalifa's heritage and contemporizes them by playing on structural attributes that are also reminiscent of contemporary Gulf architecture. Additionally, Rashid integrates a specific palette and tones that are characteristic to the landscape of his country.
Despite the physicality and monumentalism of Rashid Al Khalifa’s work, which has transitioned over the years with the surroundings that have long inspired him, if we are to truly understand the essence of Rashid's oeuvre, we find that he has undergone a very conscious journey. He has always aimed to express the fundamentality of life, through the contrasts he has regularly observed in his immediate environment, as well as the colours and light reflected in a land that he treasures.
“I am thrilled to be exhibiting in Vaduz and to have the opportunity to present this selection of my Spectrum series, of which I am very proud, to Liechtenstein. It is of utmost importance to me to be able to reach, connect with and introduce my work to, new audiences, particularly in Liechtenstein a country with such a rich, unique history. My work in essence draws on aspects of my heritage, culture and surroundings that I am grateful to be able to share with the hope to create dialogue, develop contacts and cement new friendships.” said the Rashid Al Khalifa.
Born in 1952, Rashid Al Khalifa began his studies at Hastings College of Art and Design in Sussex, England. Beginning his artistic career focusing on landscape painting, his oeuvre is by and large defined by changes in style, which paralleled changes in his life and environment. Figurative, ephemeral oil paintings from the ‘80s, transformed to more abstract forms in the ‘90s which then lead to Rashid’s experimentation with other materials, such as his characteristic ‘convex canvas’. In the 2000s, Rashid began to abstract his work to a greater extent, removing details and playing with more textures on the surface. Aluminium became the focus of his work from 2010 onwards, first by employing glossy lacquer paint on its smooth façade, and then focusing on Enamel, which lead to a much more minimalistic approach to work.
“Despite the diversity of my oeuvre in terms of style and materials, there is a common denominator; an underlying essence that flows through decades of creative work. I suppose that you could say that my work is by and large defined by progression and evolution; shifting with the times and changing with the landscape of my native country. My latest works are made of aluminium, a robust and versatile metal, that is also lightweight and corrosion resistant. Bahrain boasts the second largest aluminium smelter in the world. I believe these larger works are inherent of that dichotomy; they are powerful and dominating, but concurrently effortless, delicate and meditative,” said Rashid Al Khalifa.
A prominent artist and respected collector, Rashid Al Khalifa currently serves as head of the newly established Arts Council in Bahrain. He has long been regarded a patron and ardent supporter of the arts, and in 2020, established the RAK Art Foundation with the intention of providing a platform as well as offering opportunities for emerging artists and creatives, and making his collection of international contemporary art (on display throughout the grounds of the Foundation), accessible the public.
“Art inspires and gives us the encouragement and confidence to grow as individuals. If it becomes an integral part of our culture, something that we can’t imagine living without then this in turn will lead to true progress.” Rashid Al Khalifa preprocess
