Quintessence

His exhibition Quintessence at the Q Gallery Berlin invites visitors to rediscover Bahrain's fascinating art scene beyond the usual clichés.

What comes to mind when you think of Bahrain? Oil, skyscrapers, desert perhaps?

But there is so much more. Quintessence opens up the possibility of breaking with clichés and discovering a deeper, poetic connection to the culture, history and aesthetics of the Gulf state.

The artist began as a landscape painter and developed a unique visual language over the decades: from naturalistic depictions to abstract, structural and often kinetic installations. Despite all the stylistic changes, one theme runs like a red thread through his work: the reflection of Bahrain's changing landscape.

His works reflect the profound changes that the country has undergone in recent decades. The special light of Bahrain - especially at sunrise and sunset - as well as the traditional architecture and cultural practices form the basis for Rashid's artistic work. He explores the interactions between space, culture and environment and captures these in a contemporary visual language.

In doing so, he does not bow nostalgically to the past, but develops his works in a forward-looking dialogue with it. He integrates traditional architectural patterns in his aluminium installations - as in Waves V (2023) - and reduces them to their essence in works such as Pale Blue Folds (2025) or Coral (2025). Works such as Grey Circle (2015) or Cusp (2020) play with light, shadow and spiritual symbolism - such as the waxing moon as a sign of change and transformation.

His hanging mobiles, inspired by the mashrabiya - the ornamental latticework of traditional Gulf architecture - also combine aesthetics with functionality. In this way, Rashid Al Khalifa creates a bridge between the past and the future and gives the cultural heritage of his homeland a contemporary form.
Don't miss the opportunity to experience Rashid Al Khalifa's installations for the first time in Berlin!

• Exhibition: Quintessence
  
• Artist: Rashid Al Khalifa
  
• Opening: 27 June 2025
  
• Location: Q Gallery Berlin (Großgörschenstraße 7, 10827 Berlin)
  

Opening:
Admission free, registration is requested https://quintessence.eventbrite.com


Opening hours of the exhibition: Tue, Wed, Fri and Sat from 11:00 to 18:00 and by appointment.