Perle Magazine - Spring 2018 Perle Magazine - Spring 2018 | Page 26

explains nothing happened by accident,
but rather was a curated effort to bring
together artists from various backgrounds
to make Adliya a walking art zone. Bayan
details that when the first time Al Riwaq
had gone under refurbishment, even the
front-elevation scaffolding was used as a
creative platform, as Bayan called on artists
to paint it - with a different artist coming
in each week to do so. That also allowed
graffiti artists in Bahrain to step into the
light for the first time and showcase their
skills.
Al Riwaq Art Space’s walls have seen
the works of many artists throughout the
20 years, from professionals to individuals
finding their beginnings in the world of
art. Bayan explained, initially she would
only approach established artists, but soon
opened the doors for the budding artists
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SPRING 2018
to allow them a space to grow as artists. Al
Riwaq launched a residency program where
two artists were hosted and were educated
and developed as artists. Bayan partnered
with various institutions to not only educate
the artists locally, but also send them
abroad to places such as the Townhouse
Gallery in Cairo, Delfina Foundation in
London, Cité Des Arts in Paris, and also to
an art foundation in New York, as well as
working on collaborative efforts with the
Sharjah Art Foundation. From there Bayan
also borrowed art works and recommended
artists to be showcased there, leading to
2017 being the most collaborative year
with around 70 artists displaying their work.
Bayan notes these collaborative efforts
have definitely help change the art scene
and artistic outcomes in Bahrain, as Al
RIwaq served as a platform of exposure,