www.bahrainthismonth.com interview DREAM, THINK AND IMPLEMENT. Al Riwaq Art Space made quite the comeback this month, much to the delight of art and culture enthusiasts in Bahrain. Founder and Director of Al Riwaq, Bayan Kanoo, speaks to Farah Baig about her love for art, the art space’s triumphant return and the need to foster culture in communities. Long before Adliya came to be known as a gastronomical hub in the Kingdom of Bahrain, it was a haven for creatives. A stroll around the bustling Block 338 would be a treat for the eyes with vibrant street art, soaring sculptures, eclectic markets and live bands too. What lay at the heart of this creative movement, though, was the ever-so-magnetic Al Riwaq Art Space. Founded in 1998 by Bayan Kanoo, Al Riwaq epitomised the word ‘creative’. The non-profit art space organised countless exhibitions, workshops, events and more to nurture the Kingdom’s art scene. So, it was much to the dismay of artists and the wider community, 20 years later, when Al Riwaq closed its doors. That being said, Ms. Kanoo’s drive and mission to foster the Kingdom’s art movement saw Al Riwaq open in a new space at the ‘Bank House’ in Gufool last month. Founding Al Riwaq As we basked in the tranquility of Al Riwaq’s garden, she reminisced about her first experience delving into art. “I’m Bahraini and feel Bahraini at my very heart and soul, but I’m originally from Iraq,” says Ms. Kanoo. “Growing up in Iraq, we all lived in a very creative, artistic atmosphere. We would attend concerts, music theatres and exhibitions frequently. In fact, my high school was next to a gallery so we would often spend our breaks there.” “And then, my wedding gift was a painting actually. So, art and creativity has always been an important part of our lives,” she adds. Having moved to the Kingdom of Bahrain in 1985 to finish her higher education, she soon took notice of the artistic nature of the island. “I felt the creative vibe of the country – people were inspired and interested but didn’t take the initiative to create a permanent art space. So in 1998, with my passion for all things creative, I started this gallery not knowing then that it would evolve into this,” she says. Art – A Form of Expression The need to establish a permanent fixture in the Kingdom’s growing art scene coincided with Ms. Kanoo’s belief that art is an indispensable tool for expression. “Art allows you to divert any feelings of anxiety while exploring your passion in a constructive way. It can be moving, thought-provoking and inspiring through its diverse forms of creativity,” she says. Creative expression has long been known to foster an environment for open dialogue and conversation. “Being from another, more expressive society, I found people here to be more conservative. So, I naturally pushed for more dialogues and discussions, and even invited schools to look at the art and express themselves,” she says, highlighting her belief that art encourages expression among the youth and between generations. 24 March 2022
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