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A brush with diversity

Novemver 25 - December 1, 2020
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Gulf Weekly A brush with diversity

Gulf Weekly Mai Al Khatib-Camille
By Mai Al Khatib-Camille

Artists from across the kingdom aim to celebrate cultural diversity by drawing attention to visual arts and mixed medias by showcasing colourful compilations.

The Filipino Creatives Bahrain group is staging its third exhibit, the ‘CROSSCURRENT’ Fusion of Art and Culture, at the Harbour Gate featuring an array of paintings, sculptures, visual and digital artists as well as films.

The showcase which usually consists of only Filipino artists will be featuring a total of 43 artists hailing from different backgrounds, aged between 16 and 60, sharing their works.

Butch J Paje, a Filipino visual artist, designer and one of the pioneering members of the group, said: “Both previous exhibits were all-Filipino and this year it is a dream come true for the group to have an artistic collaboration with Bahraini artists and other international artists.

“CROSSCURRENT aims to bring visual artists to the forefront and show the world that art has no boundaries. It will showcase the diversity of culture, beliefs and emotions - all reflected through their wide variety of artworks.

“We have artists from the Philippines, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Sweden, Russia, Puerto Rico, the UK, Oman, Lebanon, India and South Africa. All of them have a story to tell through their work.     

“It’s is an event for all ages, art lovers, collectors and everyone who simply wants to uplift what they feel and be inspired by the power of art.”

The exhibit will feature more than 200 artworks from the likes of Shaikha Marwa Bint Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, renowned painter Abbas Al Mosawi and other inspiring creatives. The show will also highlight emerging talents.

“This event will become a venue to spread inspiration to all people, young and old and from all walks of life,” added Butch who has participated in several exhibits in the Philippines before moving to the kingdom. “The artists will be spreading positivity in spite of the ongoing worldwide crisis.”

Most of Butch’s artworks tackle current issues in society and the environment. He tends to create his artwork using mixed media and recyclable materials.

The exhibit is on from December 1 to 15 from 9am to 9pm. Artwork will also be exhibited virtually through the Harbour Gate website.

The group, which features 22 members, was founded in 2018 through the help and initiative of the Philippine ambassador to Bahrain Alfonso A Ver with the objective of showcasing the creativity of the Filipinos in the kingdom.

For details, follow FilCreativesBH on Facebook and  @filipinocreativesbahrain on Instagram.







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