Since opening its doors in 1998, an early pioneer in Bahrain and the Arabian Gulf, Albareh Art Gallery has played a leading role in establishing and consolidating fine art, across a variety of formats, throughout the Middle East and beyond. After nearly two decades, Albareh has cultivated world-class excellence in artistic expression represented in a diverse roaster of artists, both established an
d emerging, and now distinguished as cutting-edge practitioners in the region and elsewhere. The gallery has become a preferred destination for collectors searching after unusual pieces of art in a fully curated space. Located in the residential district of Adliya, in Bahrain’s capital Manama, a young dynamic city with an old tradition in the arts, going back to the early 20th century, when painting classes where first offered in the Gulf. The walls of the gallery accommodate a plurality of artistic practices, including site-specific interventions and artistic residencies, embedded in critical discourses and research questions that reflect a contemporary program deeply anchored in the regional heritage. Albareh Art Gallery began a long journey to identify hidden talents through a program of solo and group exhibitions by artists from the broader Middle East and beyond, launching the careers of some of the region’s best established artists and has maintained long-term representation of a dedicated roaster of artists now collected and exhibited worldwide. Through the years, the gallery has thus developed a strong reputation and forged international ties with the art world – curators, museums, collectors and critics alike, becoming a center of excellence, hosting a year-long program of exhibitions, an unparalleled educational platform and various cultural events. Extending beyond white walls, Albareh is in the limelight of the public in Bahrain because of its commitment to artistic expression, social responsibility and critical engagement. Over the years, the gallery became aware of its ambition to broaden its scope, through a number of partnerships with galleries, cultural institutions and collectors worldwide. Since 2012 the gallery has embarked on a new path to search for hidden talents in other latitudes, expanding its program into a global endeavor, selecting and showcasing emerging contemporary artists from other regions side by side with established modern and contemporary names from the Middle East, creating new opportunities for artists and collectors alike, to partake in a global context of art. With a number of international shows, partnerships and participation in art fairs, the gallery seeks to strengthen its innovative approach, complemented with professional visits to the most important fairs and biennials in the art world, searching for the best art, and a distinguished list of guest speakers. Focusing on the primary market, Albareh is committed to a broad spectrum of modern and contemporary practices, from pioneering Arab modernists to the most contemporary works spanning through painting, sculpture, photography and drawing, presenting a selection of some of the most prolific artists. In the secondary market, the gallery presents retrospective exhibitions and publications highlighting the works of some of the region’s most important pioneers and holds a large stock of works by prominent modern and contemporary artists from the Middle East. To be included in our mailing list, contact [email protected] with your full name and address. SUBMISSIONS
The experienced team of the gallery is always on the search for ground-breaking practices that challenge conventional standards in visual culture and conveys ideas in dynamic and contemporary modes of expression, embedded in research questions and critical discourses. The program of the gallery for 2014 is now closed, however, for further consideration in future programs and exhibitions, e-mail the Director at [email protected] with a concise description of your practice. You are kindly invited to submit manuscripts and links to your existing websites. Once your submission has been received, it will be reviewed by a selection committee. Only relevant candidates will be contacted. The gallery is committed to a broadminded approach to art but nevertheless cultural sensibilities are a factor in the selection. STAFF
Hayfa Al-Jishi
Director and Head Curator
E-mail: [email protected]
