Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Art consultant Frances Stafford is drawing attention to the talent and works of Bahraini artists by featuring their colourful canvases and designs in Germany.
Since August, the former Bahrain resident who held roles at Al Riwaq Art Space as well as at the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), has curated and co-curated four exhibitions in Berlin featuring an array of pencil work, drawings and paintings.
She said: “I want to connect Bahraini artists with other local or international artists.”
The 36-year-old new mum, living in Berlin, started off by collaborating with a gallery called aquabitArt, situated on Agustrasse Street in Mitte - the middle of Berlin.
The first exhibition, 4:1, 4 Artists - One Location, showcased four artists in one gallery, all highlighting the heritage and beauty of Bahrain. It featured Bahraini multi-disciplinary visual artist Mohammed Alaabar, better known as Leon D, and Bahraini artist and curator Yasmin Sharabi along with Berlin-based designer Ali Dowlatshahi and painter Pat Molony Harris.
Ali and Pat, who have visited Bahrain multiple times, created work based on the island.
The second art showcase was held in September during Berlin Art Week.
From the Land of Eternity was a solo exhibition for Huda Al Saie. It boasted an array of abstract, acrylic paintings inspired by the kingdom and highlighting its history.
Frances then curated Elysium within the Berlin Positions Art Fair at the Galerie KleinervonWiese booth alongside curators Constanze Kleiner, Dr Stephan von Wiese and Dr Rachel Rits-Volloch from Momentum Berlin. It featured 24 international artists including Bahrain’s Abbas Yousif. Abbas is multi-talented having proven his skills in painting, calligraphy, printmaking and bookmaking.
However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, not many art lovers could gain access to the exhibition and hence a second one was launched.
Frances was delighted to be a part of both.
She said: “I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to collaborate with other curators and gallery owners for both Elysium and Elysium II: Beyond Elysium.
“The Elysium series looks at how the pandemic has affected us and explores the idea of paradise lost. The first exhibition showcased three works from Abbas’s Paradise of Survival series.
“The location of the second edition, Elysium II: Beyond Elysium, was renovated to act as a pop up gallery and showcased Yasmin Sharabi’s and Huda’s work. It was activated for a short period of time in a great central location.”
Frances, who studied art history at Carleton University in Canada, understands the challenges of participating in an exhibition and curating one, as she has displayed her own art work in the past.
“I have sold my art in the past but when I started working as an exhibition specialist in Bahrain for the former Ministry of Culture, which is now the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, I decided to focus on my curating skills.
“I was lucky to work for Al Riwaq Art Space which played a vital role in the contemporary art production of the country.”
Frances, who fell in love with the island, still has many good connections with varied people living in Bahrain and promotes the kingdom wherever she goes.
She added: “The people in Bahrain are incredibly talented and full of new ideas. The country is so rich in history and culture. The food is amazing and I love the authenticity of the souq and the fabric market. I really miss Bahrain. There is just something magical about the country.
“I hope to achieve a continued connection with the Gulf region and build bridges between artists, societies, culture and the public.”
Follow @frances_stafford_art on Instagram for details.
