Bahraini artist Rashid Al Khalifa’s Spectrum series employs traditional Middle Eastern architectural principles, such as those seen throughout his 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 to 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 of creating dialogue, developing contacts and cementing new friendships.” said Rashid Al Khalifa.

Born in 1952, Rashid Al Khalifa studied Art and Design at Hastings College of Art and Design, Sussex, England. Beginning his artistic career focusing on landscape painting, his oeuvre is by and large defined by changes in style, which parallel changes in his life and environment. Figurative, ephemeral oil paintings from the ‘80s, transformed into abstract forms in the ‘90s, leading to Rashid’s experimentation with other materials and surfaces, such as his characteristic ‘convex canvas’. In the 2000s, Rashid began to abstract his work to a greater extent, removing details and adapting various 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 his work.
Rashid Al Khalifa has exhibited in numerous international exhibitions, art fairs and biennales, including: Rashid Al Khalifa, Opera Gallery, Dubai, UAE (2021); Tesselate, Mario Mauroner Gallery, Vienna, Austria (2021); Transverse Wave, me Collectors Room, Berlin, Germany (2019), Penumbra, Saatchi Gallery, London (2018); Moscow Biennale, Moscow, Russia (2019); Contemporary Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (2019, 2021); SCOPE, Miami Beach, Miami, USA (2021); to name a few.

“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, HE Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa currently serves as Chairman 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 to emerging artists and creatives, as well as 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.

“I am delighted and honoured to have had the opportunity to exhibit the fascinating work of HE Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa. It is through this exhibition that we are able to gain insight into the rich and multi-layered history and culture of Bahrain, which in many ways, mirrors our own. I hope that through this exhibition, we will grow to better understand one another and learn from each other. We are so grateful to His Excellency Shaikh Rashid Al Khalifa for this opportunity.” Expressed Rainer Vollkommer, Director of the Liechtenstein National Museum.

Dating back to 1438, the three buildings that now house the Liechtenstein National Museum consist of 42 exhibit rooms which display the museum’s permanent collection and special exhibitions. Encompassing archaeology, history & religion, daily-life in Liechtenstein and the natural environment, the Liechtenstein National Museum aims to present the rich and diverse history of the principality. Visitors gain insight into the local population, the Princely House, daily life and the history of Liechtenstein. The Museum organizes public and private guided tours, activities for children and families and educational programs.

Despite his knowledge of contemporary formal artistic languages, Rashid Al Khalifa always sees himself embedded in the tradition of his origins and draws on these influences and impressions.

The exhibition was curated by Karin Adrian von Roques, a freelance curator specialising in Middle Eastern art.

After the show in Berlin, the exhibition will travel on in expanded form to the Rosenhang Museum in Weilburg an der Lahn. It will open there on 15 May 2022 and run until 7 August 2022.