Past Resident
2013: Al-Riwaq Art Space

Jaffar Al Oraibi

Jaffar Al Oraibi began drawing and painting early in life, first drawing portraits of friends and family members and then landscapes in Bahrain. His work has evolved toward the evolution of knowing the world of art and artists, through direct visits inside and outside Bahrain.

Jaffar Al Oraibi (born 1976) is one of Bahrain’s foremost emerging contemporary artists, with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Bahrain. His work has been exhibited widely, including solo exhibitions at Cuadro Fine Art Gallery, Dubai, and Al Riwaq Art Space, Bahrain. Group exhibitions include Morocco’s Asilah Festival, the China Art Olympiad Biennale, the 5th International Print Triennial in Egypt, and the Cité International des Arts in France. He has won numerous awards for his work, such as first prize at the Qatari Diar Art Symposium, special recognition at the 32nd Annual Plastic Arts exhibit at Bahrain’s National Museum, and the Silver Palm from the seven GCC art exhibitions, Kuwait. Al Oraibi was an artist-in-residence at Cité International des Arts and the Delfina Foundation in London.

Past Resident
2013: Ministry of Culture, Taiwan

Tung-Lung Wu

For years, Tung-Lung Wu has worked on the manifestation of geometric and organic signs and symbols, adept at shaping the use of space and lines to pursue pure, simple, and abstract representation. His works carry both the calmness of classical paintings as well as the ingenuity of contemporary art. With his accommodating techniques and unique skills, Wu boasts of a distinct artistic style which belongs to a league of its own.

Tung-Lung Wu’s (born 1976, Taipei) works are minimalist abstract paintings, adopting minimal, simple and rationalistic genre, which are filled with his own style. The formation of his paintings consists of a majestic composition interlaced with a delicate and tasteful color palette, delivering a powerful visual tension as well as an underlain calm emotion, and each aspect of semiotic spirit, image space, psychology of forms, and color aesthetic has been prospected and incorporated in his creations. He is one of the few young artists who are devoted to abstract paintings in Taiwan. Wu lives and works in Taipei.

Past Resident
2013: Al-Riwaq Art Space

Mohamed Sharkawy

Mohamed Sharkawy uses minimalist forms, flat colors and clearly defined shapes to render images that have a universal appeal. Each form and figure are purposely deduced to the essentials; what is left is an image that is reminiscent of Egyptian wall painting- of a time of language through symbolism, where the focus was the message, rather than unnecessary details. Unadorned and unaffected, his work is a vision of childlike simplicity. Yet, what we witness is not naivety but rather an astute ability to communicate the fundamentals of life, rid of pretense and negativity- in a language for all to appreciate.

Mohamed Sharkawy (born 1982 Naga Hamadi, Egypt) began painting in 2000. His exposure to a variety of artists’ styles and approaches led to the development of his own visual vocabulary. He has participated in solo and group exhibitions in venues including the Townhouse Gallery and Al Riwaq Art Space, Bahrain. Sharkawy lives and works in Bahrain.