Thursday, October 18, 2012

Bahrain National Gallery AWA Show

 This is an annual show that is put on by the American Women's Association at the National Gallery of Bahrain.  The venue is a beautiful building with several gallery spaces.  What you see here is the main gallery.  In the first photo you can see my work just to the left of the center post and just above the little table sculpture.  This was such a huge event and very well attended over the course of the show.  There is a photo of the Minister of culture arriving who would normally be in traditional Thobe and headdress but donned western dress, I think in deference to the American Women's Association.  He had a bandaged right hand and even though he extended his "damaged" hand in a western manner.  Middle Eastern women don't shake hands so it is a difficult thing to try to  straddle both worlds. Should you be American and extend your hand or hold back and not?  This show was very well attended and this is the National gallery basically like the National gallery in Washington. The Kingdom of Bahrain is quite progressive in the Arts although they do cater mostly to ME Artists.  It is difficult for a non ME artist to get into the main galleries.









6 comments:

Gary L. Everest said...

Hi Tonya,
I must admit that I clicked on your site to probably delete it as it's been so long since you've posted anything.
What a nice surprise to see your work in such an impressive show and venue!
Congratulations and may I add--do keep up the great work.
Welcome back, Tonya.
Sincerely,
Gary.

Tonya Vollertsen said...

Hi Gary, Thanks for stopping by and deciding not to delete me! LOL! I have been less diligent at posting since I have been in Bahrain as I am not teaching here and my blog was started mostly for my students to encouraging them by letting them know what it is really like to be a full time artist. Ups and downs, successes and defeats. Perhaps I will try to change my focus.

layers said...

wow.. I am very impressed. A big congratulations to have your painting in such a prestigious exhibit.. simply wonderful.

Tonya Vollertsen said...

Thank you Donna. It was a really beautiful venue. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Toria said...

Wow, and here I am stuck in Willis.. Nice to see a Woodlands Artist on here and I love your work.

Tonya Vollertsen said...

Hi Toria, Funny, sometimes I feel like I am "stuck" in the ME! LOL! The Middle East has it's challenges, romantic as it may sound. Now that I have gotten past the excitement of the Camels and used to the look of the Thobes and Abias (the robes that the men and women wear) I find there is not so much to be visually inspired by. It's pretty much a city in the desert here. I finally hired a Canadian model just to get some new inspiration for the new show I have up at World Beat.
Thanks for stopping by!

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