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London Exhibition
This is the artists'
first solo exhibition in London and it is destined to be a great
success. Michèle Hillgarth has been following both artists'
work for several years. She first met Abbas in France where he was
painting at her brother's domaine. At the time Michèle was
pursuing a successful career in landscaping work from her London
based showroom in Walton Street.
Artistic family
Abbas was born into
an artistically enriched environment in Bahrain in 1952. His father
loved art and music and was both writer and poet. When discussing
the subject of art, Abbas al Mosawi's enthusiasm is electrifying
and one can easily recognise this vibrant quality in his paintings.
In 1976 the Ministry
of Education of Bahrain recognised his artistic gifts and granted
him a scholarship to study drawing and painting in Cairo. After
Egypt, his work gradually changed, and early on he followed the
famous artists such as Seurat and the Pointillist technique.
He was also inspired
by others like Cézanne and Monet. Today, Abbas said that
for most of his work he makes an under-painting with any colour,
then sketches a few lines and proceeds to work all over the canvas.
Oil is his favourite medium and he uses acrylic only by special
request. For the stamp design that received 1st prize from the Bahrain
Centennial Commemorative Stamps Post Office Exhibition in 1984,
he used gouache.
Vivid portrayal
Michèle explains
that she was so impressed by the force of Abbas work, the intense
colour, the dramatic brushwork, the vivid portrayal of his native
land, and the speed with which he would apply his talent on a canvas.
He has the talent to move from one subject to the other, with a
wonderful ability to paint open landscapes, bold abstracts or a
scene from Bedouin life.
Professional career
In 1986, Abbas began
his professional career as an artist. While the influence of European
modern art is apparent in his work, particularly of French Impressionists
such as Claude Monet, Abbas' work is the result of contemporary
thought in the context of his world. In his scenes of Bedouin life
in the desert and bustling squares in narrow alleys, Abbas al Mosawi
gives us a fresh interpretation of the history and culture of the
Arab world.
Third Eye
Abbas has a 'third
eye' in his studio; a large mirror which he employs to provide a
different view while he is painting. Sometimes he works on more
than one canvas in a session, and as his ideas flow from one painting
to another, he develops a comparable artistic concept in several
works. He feels he knows exactly when to stop each painting to achieve
the purpose and feeling. Sometimes they evolve into a series. "
In the majority of my work, I do not do a preliminary sketch…"
he says.
New imagery
Abbas paints on a small
canvas, and can paint multiple images to produce his largest paintings,
8m x 8m, or 4m x 16m, by combining as many as 16 canvasses together.
He works quickly and decisively whilst maintaining a loose spontaneous
style offering the impression of a 'moment caught in time'. Rather
than being 'variations on a theme' Abbas subjects cover a remarkably
wide range. Abbas likes to travel the world in search of new styles,
new themes and new experiences. He says his trips broaden his artistic
perspective. His most recent work is inspired by new imagery, both
everyday and extraordinary. Last summer he went to Ireland to complete
a series of paintings where, as usual, he left his canvasses outside
- later to find them all wet; it had been raining…
Forty pictures
This years exhibition
contains over 40 paintings depicting Bedouin social life, bold abstracts,
mysterious figures, sweeping seascapes. Many of the paintings carry
the suggestion of a story behind them; whatever the subject, there
is always a sense of action and of 'being there'.
Widely exhibited
Abbas and Sheikh Rashid
al Khalifa are Bahraini artists, and their work is collected extensively
in Europe as well as throughout the Middle East, where they have
been exhibited over several years in solo and group exhibitions.
No slave to critics
Abbas al Mosawi agrees
that talent is not enough to create an artist. "An artist grows
and hones his art through life's experiences." He says "I
Believe the crucial ingredients for success are study and the enjoyment
of making art". He adds that it is important to be wary of
critics. "Never be a slave to critics" he says, "an
artist's creation of what he sees may or may not be readily appreciated".
He explains that "developing one's character and bank of knowledge
takes time, just as it takes time to complete a painting to one's
satisfaction".
"How long a painting
takes to finish is not a parameter of its quality. The depth, wisdom
and message communicated is what is of value. Time is not of relevance
when one speaks of transmitting visions".
Millennium 'Peace
2000' Campaign
Abbas al Mosawi is
a man of action. He started Millennium 'Peace 2000' Campaign on
10th July 1994 when there were 2000 days left to the year 2000.
The aim of the project was to spread international peace, love,
brotherhood and environmental protection through different forms
of art, painting, photography, music, theatre, film, sculpture,
ballet and other types of self-expressive arts.
He travelled all around
the world organising workshops and exhibitions in major cities,
and selected 2000 artistic works. He encouraged children and professional
artists to paint and take photographs of images which should help
promote peace. As the project started growing it extended itself
into music, singing and poetry. "Children are the ones who
will carry the torch of peace" he said, "they are the
future, they are the ones who will inherit this earth".
To mark the end of
the project, 2000 Bahraini children aged 10 to 13 were brought together
to create one giant painting. Each child painted a 1.5m by 1.5 m
board. These were put together to form a 4500 square metre painting.
It was all done by the Tree of Life in Sakhir, and the objective
was to promote a sense of concern towards peace. "This painting
should qualify for the Guinness Book of World Records" says
Mr Mosawi.
Campaign goals and
strategy
The goal was to create
a majority of people on this planet who would support a peaceful
co-existence with nature and among themselves by the year 2000.
Abbas planned to mobilise this young community by tapping on the
self-preservation instincts that are naturally embodied in each
and everyone of us, and not letting it be suffocated by commercial
diversions which one finds so prevalent in today's society. In short,
he sought to create an increased awareness of mankind and his environment.
International Orphan's
Association
The 'Peace 2000' project
also concentrated on children with special needs and problems so
that they would grasp the peace message and lead more peaceful lives.
In Milan, Abbas organised his peace project in co-operation with
the International Orphans Association to spread goodwill among orphaned
children.
Noble cause
Abbas al Mosawi nurtured
another noble cause by donating 100 paintings depicting Arabic calligraphy
and designs, verses from the Holy Quran, (especially those preaching
health and safety), as well as proverbs and prayers. The paintings
exhibited in hospitals invoke a peaceful and recuperative atmosphere
for both patients and visitors, by giving them the opportunity to
reflect on art and life and appreciate all beautiful things around
them.
SHEIKH RASHID AL KHALIFA
Interior Ministry,
Under-Secretary for Bahraini Immigration and Passports, and Director
of Bahrain Tourism and Archaeology. He plays an important role in
the running of his country and prefers not to receive media coverage.
The Washington Times
Sheikh Rashid al Khalifa
is the Honorary President and founder of the Bahrain Arts Society.
"It is always interesting to meet someone" states the
Washington Times "whose reputation precedes him. Everyone in
Bahrain speaks of 'Sheikh Rashid al Khalifa' as a man whose artistic
ability and humanity entwine whenever his name is mentioned".
Now one of the country's
best-known painters, Sheikh Rashid al Khalifa's artistic début
was a college exhibition in 1968. Shortly after his graduation,
Sheikh Rashid al Khalifa gained a scholarship to go to university
in England. He studied Fine Art and Design in London in the early
1970's. This led to broadened horizons and helped him develop his
artistic talents. Sheikh Rashid al Khalifa was soon participating
in British art exhibitions, and his work spread to exhibitions in
France, Switzerland, the U.S. and Jordan.
Luminous and calligraphic
Sheikh Rashid al Khalifa
has the ability to capture the luminous colours of Bahrain. His
bold calligraphic lines define an intriguing vocabulary of form
and figures in abstract compositions derived from nature. His surface
textures contrast with rich patterns in divisions of space that
are startling and original in western art.
Sheikh Rashid al Khalifa
is the nephew of the Bahrain Emir and is married to the daughter
of the Prime Minister. He is a very talented artist who has done
much to promote art and culture in his country.
Back in July 1995 Abbas
al Mosawi and Sheikh Rashid al Khalifa exhibited at the Farrows
Hotel du Rhône in Geneva. Sheikh Rashid al Khalifa's pictures
are not for sale, but he has donated many pictures to charities.
Abbas al Mosawi's painting
is creative and sensitive. Dr Sidra Stich said of his work "The
pronounced overlay of brushstroke markings further veils the figures,
enveloping them in swirling rhythms full of exuberant expression
and energy. Abbas emphasises the vitality and unity of the whole
rather than the appearance of any one feature."
Intimacy
Abbas and Sheikh Rashid
al Khalifa's talents are driven by the emotions and intimacy with
which they experience their space and surroundings. With vibrant
colours, full of warmth and intensity, these two Bahraini artists
want to introduce the world to their creativity, civilisation and
culture.
Michèle Hillgarth
Michèle Hillgarth Contemporary Art
+44 20 7243 3515
Mobile 07850 100 247
www.hillgarthart.com
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