rashid al khalifa's circular simplicity at little museum weissenstadt

Al Khalifa’s solo exhibition at the Little Museum Weissenstadt

Renowned Bahraini artist Rashid Al Khalifa is set to present his latest solo exhibition, ‘Circular Simplicity,’ at The Little Museum Weissenstadt on July 20, 2024. The showcase features seven of Al Khalifa’s artworks, each epitomizing his minimalist approach and unique exploration of the circle as a central theme representing wholeness and unity. The designer’s fascination with the circle as a symbol of perfection and continuity inspired the exhibition, resonating with his quest to depict flawless precision and simplicity in his work.

Altered States II, 2024, enamel on aluminium, 60 x 60 cm | all images courtesy of Rashid Al Khalifa

circular simplicity captures rhythmic nature of symmetry

Rashid Al Khalifa was born in Riffa, Bahrain, in 1952 and has always had a deep interest in art and archaeology. He began his artistic practice at a young age, with his work reflecting the contrasts he observed in his surroundings, as well as the colors and light of his home country. Since 2010, the artist has employed aluminum in his work, a material that requires a great deal of energy to produce. The simplicity and symmetry present in Al Khalifa’s work balance the contrasts and contradictions of his daily life, creating a sense of calm and serenity in his recent works.

His artworks often draw on the aesthetic principles of Islamic art, particularly the concept of repetition, which is prevalent in his compositions. The deliberate repetition of intricate forms creates the illusion of infinity, evoking a sense of harmony rooted in the timelessness of his craft. By integrating a distinct color palette reminiscent of Bahrain’s landscape, Al Khalifa artfully captures the rhythmic nature of repetition, evoking order, symmetry, and the essence of existence in his masterpieces.

RAK (Rashid Al Khalifa) Art Foundation

rashid al khalifa’s fascination with the circle

‘Circular Simplicity’ stems from the creator’s fascination with the circle as a symbol of perfection and continuity, embodying the cyclical nature of existence. His creative journey towards minimalism began in 2015, spurred by his quest to depict precision and simplicity in his works. The exhibition promises to be an awe-inspiring display of the essence of life through the simplicity of circles.

‘Circles are marvelous in their correlation between certain mathematical ties and our lives. They start from a point of purity or inexperience and then radiate in many directions, ultimately returning to the same place. It’s also nature’s way of arranging things beautifully,’ says Rashid Al Khalifa.

Spherical Compression 2019 Enamel on Aluminium, 120 cm

‘Circular Simplicity’ stems from the creator’s fascination with the circle as a symbol of perfection and continuity, embodying the cyclical nature of existence