Participating Artists

Abed Al Kadiri
Born in Beirut in 1984, he started his education in Arabic literature, but he decided to follow his passion and graduated with higher studies in Fine Arts, faculty of Fine Arts, Lebanese University. Al Kadiri’s early work dealt with humanitarian and political issues, “Abou Ghreib”was his first solo exhibition,in 2006.The artist participated in several solo and group exhibitions in Beirut and Kuwait, where he currently resides. From 2006 to 2010 Al Kadiri played a vital role in the Kuwaiti visual culture, with his articles in“Assiyasah”Daily Newspaper, his weekly page "TASHKEEL" in "AWAN" Daily Newspaper, and “Al Arabi" magazine. He participated in “MENASART", Lebanon and "Contemporary Istanbul", Turkey. His works have been exhibited and sold twice at "JAMM” auction Kuwait in both 2010 and 2011.

Ahmad Anan
Born in Bahrain, 1968. Ahmad Anan received many awards for his works. He first exhibited in a group exhibition in 1989, in Bahrain Contemporary Art Association. Later his works travelled many countries in the region in solo and group exhibitions, including Biennial Bangladesh in 1993 & 2002, Asilah Cultural Season, Morocco, in 1990, 1992, & 1994, No Trust in Love, with writer and journalist Ebrahim Bashmi in 2002, Bahrain Cultural Days in Damascus, Syria, in 2008, and Taqaseem group exhibitions I, II in 2010 & III in 2012, in addition to exhibitions in Kuwait, Dubai, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and of course Bahrain, his home town. Some of his works are collected by Bahrain National Museum.

Ali Khamees
A Bahrani artist, and a member of Bahrain Arts Society. He started his artistic career early in the 80’s and participated in many solo and group exhibitions in Bahrain, the region and worldwide. The artist’s works have travelled to many countries during the past 30 years: from Necor Club Contest, Japan in 1988, International Photography Union (Black & White) Exhibition in Holland, 1993, Bahrain Modern Arts Exhibition, China in 2002, Biennial Bangladesh, 2010, in addition to exhibitions in Kuwait, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, UAE, and Norway. He received many prizes and certificates for his works, among which, Award of Appreciation in Bahrain Annual Art Exhibition 36, Bahrain National Museum in 2009, and in 1994 and in 2000 he won the first Prize in the International Arts for Peace Day Exhibition.

Amira Behbehani
A Kuwaiti artist, born in 1964, she started painting in 2003. Her first solo exhibition titled “Teacher and the Apprentice” was at Dar Al- Funoon Gallery in Kuwait, 2005. Since then Amira participated in many solo and group exhibitions in Kuwait and outside, including the Institute De Monde Arab, Paris in 2006, Al-Waqif Gallery, Arab Woman Artist, Qatar in 2008. In June 2011, she participated in MENASART, Beirut, and in November 2011, she participated in ART ISTANBUL, Turkey, in addition to exhibitions in Dubai, Qatar, and Bahrain. In August 2011, she designed the Label for Kiehl's Creme de Corp, along with Zaha Hadid, Nadine Kanso & Aysha depala and all proceeds were donated to Make A Wish Foundation in Dubai. Her artworks were auctioned twice in JAMM, Kuwait, in 2010 and in 2011.

Bader Qabazard
A Kuwaiti national, born in 1961, he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Motion Pictures and Photography at Brooks Institute, Santa Barbara, in California. Since his return to the gulf in 1991, Bader has worked as an Agency producer and Director with Major International Agencies: Impact/BBDO, Dubai, Saatchi & Saatchi, Leo Burnett and Star TV. Then he moved to the TV industry working as a director for MTV, Channel [V], and later the Disney Channel Middle East in 1998. Currently he is living in Kuwait and working as Head of Creative Department at Al Watan TV. As for his career in digital art he started experimenting with photos taken throughout the years. Slowly, he developed his own technique and style. His work is very personal yet open to interpretation. Since 2001, he participated in many group exhibitions in the Middle East and four solo exhibitions in Kuwait and Norway. Bader has won 10 international awards for his TV Ads and artworks.

Hamed Al-Bosta
A Bahraini artist, and a member of Bahrain Arts Society, a member of Bahrain Comprehensive Exhibition Committee, Jury member of a number of Arts competition in Bahrain, and organizer of art exhibitions at Bahrain Arts Society. His works were showcased in many solo exhibitions in Bahrain since 1998. As for his group exhibitions, he participated locally and internationally, including Sharjah Biennial in 1998, Cairo Graphics Biennial in 1999, and Norwegian Biennial in 1999, the 10th Asian Biennial in Bangladesh, 2002, the 25th Mini Print International Exhibition Spain in 2005, the G.C.C Annual Exhibition, in Oman 2005, and a Joint Exhibition at UNISECO, in Paris, France, 2007. In addition, he participated in other exhibitions in Kuwait, Tunisia, U.A.E., Jeddah, India,Yemen, Morocco, and Turkey.

Bassem Alsharqi
A Saudi artist, born in 1975, he is a full-time artist since 2008. He also works as the Reporter of Plastic Arts Commission in the Culture and Arts Association in Jeddah. He received the Jeddah Award for Creative Art in 2007. His first solo exhibition was held at Jeddah Gallery in 2005. Later artist Bassem showcased his works in Saudi Arabia and outside such as solo Exhibition “The Silent and Forgotten” in Jeddah 2007 and in Abu Dhabi, 2008. In 2006 he participated in the Saudi Culture Week, in Germany & Cairo, and Edge of Arabia in Istanbul in 2010. He participated at Art Dubai in 2009. In addition, he participated in solo and group exhibitions in Riyadh, Sharjah and Beirut and now he arrives to Bahrain.

Faisal Samra
A Saudi National, born in Bahrain, 1956, he graduated from “Ecole National Superieure des Beaux Arts in Paris, France (With honor degree) in 1980. Since 1993, he lives and works between Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Paris. His first solo exhibition was in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1974 and since then he exhibited solo in Kuwait, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Lebanon and Dubai. He received many awards for his artworks. His group exhibitions roamed the world, from France, to Saudi Arabia, Iraq, South Korea, UK, Switzerland, USA, Jordan, Dubai, Egypt, Germany, Abu Dhabi, Marrakesh, Italy, and sharjah. His artworks are available at many museums and institutes around the world, for example, the British museum, Bahrain National Museum, Modern Art Museum, in Cairo, and the National Museum in Mexico City.Artist Faisal appeared on many international and regional television stations, among which, BBC world, FR3 Paris and Alarabiya (MBC).

Hakim Al-Akel
Born in Yemen, 1965, he was an apprentice for artist Hashim Ali.Later he received his Masters of Arts, from Moscow State Academy, Cum Laude with first class honors specializing in frescoes, history of arts and concepts of arts in 1994. He was one of the members who established the Yemeni Plastic Artists Association in 1986, and the International Yemeni Cultural Symposium (IYCS) in 1996. Since 1996, he is a member of the International Association of Arts, (IAA-AIAP). He received many local, international awards and certificates for his artworks. His first exhibition was in 1992 at the Artists Centre, Moscow, Russia, and since then artist hakim participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions, in Yemen, Russia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Morocco, Egypt, France, Germany, Netherlands, England, Lebanon, China and Jordan. Many museums and institutes collect the artist’s work, including State Museum "Aiszewsk" Udmurtia Republic Russia, National Museum, Taiz, Yemen and Jordan National Museum.

Hani Zurob
Born in Palestine, 1976, he lives and works in Paris since 2006. He received his bachelor degree in Fine Arts from the Al-Najah University in Nablus, Palestine, 1999. He received many awards for his work, for example, Grand Prize of International Salon of Contemporary Art of Bourges, France, 2008. His first solo exhibition was held in Palestine, 2001, and since then he exhibited solo several times in Palestine and outside. He participated in numerous group exhibitions around the world, including “Made in Palestine”, Station Museum of Contemporary Art, Houston, Texas in 2003, “Occupied Space”, Gallery 27, London in 2006,“Tear Down the Walls”, Art space Gallery, Dubai in 2010, in addition to exhibitions in Palestine, Paris, Damascus, Korea, Bahrain, Jordan, Marrakesh, New York, San Francisco, Japan, Switzerland, and Doha. His works are collected by many Institutes, in Paris, London, Ramallah, Jerusalem and Amman.

Hassan Meer
Born in Muscat, Oman, 1972, he received his Master degree in Art from Savannah College of Art and Design, from Georgia, USA, 2000. His artworks received many awards including, “the Golden Prize” at the youth show, Saudi Arabia, in 1992, and “the Golden Palm” from the second Exhibition of the Gulf States, UAE. His first participation was at the Young artist exhibition, Culture Club, Oman in 1990. Later his works were showcased in many countries around the world, including Cairo International Biennial in 1994,The One show, Savannah, Georgia, USA in 2000, Sharjah International Biennial in 2001, Oman Culture day in Morocco in 2003,and in 2005 Language of the Desert, Museum of Bonn in Germany. He also participated in Spain, Oman, Turkey, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Greece, Austria, UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) and France.

Hussein Al-Mohasen
Born in K.S.A in 1971, he attended many courses in K.S.A & the U.S.A. Hussein is a member of The Bahrain Arts Society. He has exhibited in many exhibitions in Jeddah and Riyadh at the Al-Jandariyah Festival in 1999. In 2003 he exhibited with 4 other artists in Vienna. In 2005 he had a Solo exhibition at XVA Gallery in Dubai he also exhibited at the same year with the Bahrain Arts Society. In 2008 and 2010 he participated in a group exhibition with Dar Al Funoon and with a solo show titled “Day” in 2007. His works were included in a group exhibition “Words and alphabets” with Albareh Art gallery in 2008 and again in a solo show in 2006. He showed with Athr Gallery in 2008 and 2009. His works were also included with the Edge of Arabia, Istanbul, in 2010 and also in a solo show “Memories and mirages”in the Running Horse Contemporary Art Space in Beirut.

Jehan Saleh
Born in Alexandria, Egypt, 1973, she is an Egyptian artist who lives and works in Bahrain for the past 10 years. She started her journey in Bahrain as an Art teacher in a public school from 2002 till 2005. Later she became an active member of the Bahrain Contemporary Art Society. Her first participation was in 1992 at Biennial Port-Said, Egypt. Later she showcased her works in solo and group exhibitions including Youth Salon, Qatar in 2007, Sharajah Biennial, UAE, in 2008 & 2010,‘’Across the Gulf Exhibition’, Brisbane Art Biennial, Australia, in 2009, Collective Exhibition organized by the UN Arabic Book Club, at Palais des Nations, Geneva, 2010, group exhibition "Taqaseem" I, II in 2010 & III in 2012, and Solo Exhibition at Blue Fig Art Gallery,Porto Heli,Greece in2011, and in Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Greece, and Geneva.

Khaled Farhan
A Bahraini sculptor, born in Muharraq, Bahrain 1977. Khalid works are distinguished by his abstract style and the simplicity of ideas presented. Farhan participated in many solo and collective exhibitions locally, regionally and internationally, including port-said Biennial, Egypt, 1999, Amar International Sculpture Symposium (Marble) in Dubai, 2005, in addition to that he participated in Bahrain, Turkey, Portugal, Japan, Kuwait, and Syria. His artworks are in the collections of Bahrain National Museum, Portugal Sculpture Museum, Alexandria Library, Egypt, and important private collections.

Khalid? Al Tahmazi
Born in Muharraq, Bahrain in 1970, he graduated in computer science from Amman, Jordan in 1989. He was taught art by some artists at the Bahrain Arts Society where he became a member in 1990 and in the same year he had his first solo exhibition. A neo expressionist, his artworks are characterized by the combination of figures and abstract. His artworks have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in Bahrain National Museum, Tehran Modern Art Museum in Iran, Arabic World Institute in Paris, National Art Museum in Jordan, Pacific Cultural Foundation in Taipei and in other galleries in Egypt, Canada, Lebanon and GCC. He has received some awards on his works, the 1st prize in the 9th art exhibition for the youth artists of the GCC, 1993, the 4th prize of the Ibiza International Art Competition 2001, and a prize in the 2nd International Islamic Art Biennial in Tehran 2002.

Mohamed Elmoslemany
Born in El Beheira, Egypt, 1973, he graduated from the Faculty of Art in 1997 with honors degree, and later he continued his higher education, and received a Masters degree in 2003 and a PHD in 2009 of the Philosophy of Artistic Education. Mohamed is currently working as an Associate Professor of Decorative Designs at Helwan University. His works have been influenced by the Egyptian nature and its country side. He is continuously in search for Egyptian faces that offer a source of inspiration. He is a member in the Syndicate of Plastic Artists. He has been exhibiting in solo and group exhibitions in Egypt and abroad. He received several awards and certificates for his work, including First award in sculpture at Kamal Ebeid sculpture contest, 2003.

Mohammad Al Jaloos
Born in Amman, Jordan, 1960, he studied Painting at Jordan Institute of Fine Arts, 1979- 1981. He graduated with a business degree from Jordan University in 1982. He was the president of The Jordanian Plastic Artists Association, from 2003 to 2004, and since 1992 he is a member of The International Association of Plastic arts IAP (UNESCO), Paris. He won several awards including the first prize of the second Tehran biennale of Contemporary Paintings of the Islamic World. Artist Mohammad showcased his works in solo and group exhibitions throughout the years, from Jordan to France, Syria, Palestine, Kuwait, sharjah, Oman, China, Baghdad, London, Ukraine, Morocco, Libya, Spain, Tunisia, New York, Belgium, Saudi Arabi, Tehran, Lebanon, and Dubai. His artworks are collected by many museums around the world including, Moroccan National Museum, Tehran Academy of Fine Arts, the Museum of Modern Arts, Kuwait, and also his works are available within major art collections.

Mohammed Al Mahdi
Born in Bahrain, in 1976, where he works as an Artist and as a Visual Merchandise Designer. Al Mahdi participated in many solo and collective exhibitions since 2001 in Bahrain and abroad, in Art Paris, Abu Dhabi in 2009, and Australia Biennial in 2009 and in Switzerland, Geneva, Iraq, Morocco, Lebanon, Damascus, Qatar, Australia, and Kuwait. He continues to dazzle the art enthusiasts with his unique and extraordinary style of drawing. And throughout the years he received several awards for his artistic achievements, the Dana award (1st Prize) at Bahrain International Annual Exhibition, 2007.

Serwan Baran
Born in Baghdad, Iraq, 1968, he studied Fine Arts in Babel University, Iraq. He is a member of Iraqi Fine Art Association, the National Art Association, and the AIAP. Serwan has been exhibiting his works since the 90’s in solo and group exhibitions, including Baghdad Second International Festival, Cairo Biennial, 1999, solo exhibition in Dominique Republic, 2003, solo exhibition in Tche Wa Gallery in Tokyo, 2007, and Modern Iraqi Art Exhibition in Syria, and in Amman, Qatar, Cyprus, Tunisia, and Iraq. Through the years he received several awards for his artworks, including the first prize for youth, Baghdad, 1990, golden prize in Iraqi contemporary art exhibition, 1995, and the gold medal in Al-Mihris International Festival,Tunisia, 2002.

Suheil Baddor
A Syrian artist, a researcher and an art critic, he is a member of many association including, the Syrian Art Association, Arab Art Association, and the Emirates Art Association. Artist Suheil showcased his artworks in more than 35 solo exhibitions in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, UAE, USA, Spain, France and Australia. His group exhibitions exceed 40, held between Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Ireland, Spain, France, Switzerland, Algeria, Tunisia, and Germany. The artist participated in many regional and international art symposiums and festivals, between 2000 and 2011, including the Sharjah Biennial, Tehran Biennial, Bangladeshi Biennial, Middle East Symposium, Egypt, 6th & 7th International symposium, Greece, and Al Wasiti International Festival, Baghdad. He received many awards and prizes for his artistic works.

Tayseer Barakat
Born in Gaza, Palestine, 1959, he graduated with a bachelor degree in Fine Art from Helwan University, Egypt, 1983. Tayseer exhibited for the first time in 1987 at Al- Hakawati Theatre, Jerusalem, Palestine, as for his first group exhibition it was in 1989 at South of the Globe, Rome. He participated later in several solo and group exhibition in many cities around the world including, the Museum of Modern Art in Stockholm, 1993, “Joint exhibition of Palestinian artists” with the United Nations Headquarters in New York, 1996, San Paulo International Biennial, 1996, Cultural Centre Hall in Austria, 1997, Sharjah Biennial, 2000, Dar Al-Anda Gallery in Amman, 2006,“Dust, Dialogue and Iron” at Alexandria Biennial,2010,and“Art Palestine”with Meem Gallery, Dubai in 2011. He received many awards for his artworks including Alexandria Biennial Prize in 2010.