Thu, 29 September 2022
This September 7, the Liechtenstein Landesmuseum opens CUSP, a mini-retrospective presenting a selection of works by Sheikh Rashid Al Khalifa, from atmospheric landscape paintings that mark the beginning of his artistic career in the 1970s, to his latest robust aluminium and steel installations. The exhibition will remain open until September 28th 2022.
Initially, HE Sheikh Rashid painted mostly landscapes, featuring subjects such as nature and interpretations of the Bahraini environment. These influences were his main focus after the young Sheikh returned from his studies in the United Kingdom in 1978, and it is said that his time away from Bahrain left him with a greater appreciation for his Kingdom’s beauty. Through the years, the art style of HE Sheikh Rashid has evolved dramatically, and these constant changes and stylized growth are a defining feature of the Sheikh’s artistic journey. Flowing from portraits of Bahrain’s natural landscape to abstract depictions of the female form, and even further the more tangible realm of 3 dimensional structures, the intricate latticework designs in his more recent installations, the evolution of both style and media is one that can be easily admired.
In 2018, HE Sheikh Rashid presented a solo show at Ayyam Gallery in Dubai, UAE, entitled ‘Hybrids’, which showcased his artistic transition with a selection of works created between 2015-2017. In the same year, this innovative approach defined his ‘Parametrics’ series of large-scale installations that premiered in a solo exhibition entitled ‘Penumbra: Textured Shadow, Coloured Light’ at the Saatchi Gallery in London. In continuation of this style, in 2019, Rashid exhibited alongside artist Mary Bauermeister and sound artist Simon Stockhausen at the me Collector's Room, Berlin presenting a selection of his parametrics.