Manama, Mar. 25 (BNA): The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) has mourned the passing of renowned Bahraini visual artist Abdulkarim Al Orrayed, commending his significant contributions to the Kingdom of Bahrain’s art movement and his creative achievements that reached the wider Arab region and beyond.

The BACA stated that Bahrain’s art scene has lost a prominent figure and a pioneer in the field of visual arts, whose work helped shape the Kingdom’s artistic identity.

Born in Manama in 1934, Abdulkarim Al Orrayed often portrayed the capital in his work and was among the founders of Bahrain’s visual arts movement. He held his first solo exhibition in Manama in 1960, marking a turning point for the country’s modern art scene.

His work spanned expressive and abstract painting, documenting social life and Bahrain’s traditional heritage. His style reflected influences from modern European art, while maintaining a distinctive ability to present both local and global themes in a simple yet innovative manner.

Al Orrayed also contributed to the establishment of art societies and collectives, including the Art Enthusiasts Society and the Bahrain Contemporary Art Association. He represented the Kingdom in major artistic events and conferences locally and abroad, and showcased his work in numerous exhibitions across countries such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Kingdom of Morocco, the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, and the Republic of Singapore.

He authored several publications documenting his artistic journey and highlighting Bahrain’s history and heritage, including Window on History, Art Harvest, and Manama Through Five Centuries. He received various awards and honours in recognition of his accomplishments and lasting impact.

A.S.