RAK Foundation, Bahrain
Inside One of Bahrain’s Most Beautifully Designed Private Art Foundations
If you’re passionate about art and design, a visit to the RAK Art Foundation is an absolute must while in Bahrain. Founded by Sheikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, a Bahraini Royal, in his ancestral childhood home, the foundation houses an exceptional collection of both Arab and international artists.
Originally built in 1930 by Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for his wife Aysha, the home has been lovingly preserved and thoughtfully modernized over time, with additional buildings added in phases.
What you'll absolutely love:
- Personal Touch: The art tour kicks off in a cozy family sitting room filled with cherished family portraits. 💙 It’s not every day you see a foundation start in such a personal space. This inviting atmosphere reflects his role as a father figure to many and adds a heartfelt layer to the experience.
- Tastefully and thoughtfully designed: The space elegantly blends elements of ‘old Bahrain’ alongside contemporary features. Wooden mashrabiyas, floating lines, a black-and-white patterned palm tree-lined driveway ending with a star-shaped fountain.
- Iraqi Art Gems: The collection includes a large number of well-known Iraqi artists, including Modhir Ahmed, Rafa Al-Nasiri, Ahmed Bahrani, Dia Al-Azzawi, Suad Al-Attar, and Halim Al-Karim.
- Beautiful Contemporary Interiors: Picture a seamless blend of Carrara marble flooring, chestnut brown leather sofas, minimalist glass railings, and raw concrete columns - it’s just stunning.
- Vintage Photography Room: One of its hidden gems is a dedicated photography room showcasing a collection of antique cameras and rare equipment.
- Architectural Beauty: the elegant “floating office/studio” - a glass-enclosed ornamental cube suspended above a water feature in the courtyard is beautiful.
- His Own Artistic Evolution: Witness Sheikh Rashid’s artistic journey - from expressive 1980s Bahraini landscapes and figurative sketches, to the dynamic “Dance of War” series in the 90s, and his more recent enamel on aluminum and steel artworks. It’s fascinating to see how his style has transformed over the decades.
- A ‘Henry Moore’ Beginning: The entire collection began with a £600 Henry Moore painting he acquired as a university student - an early sign of his collector’s eye and lifelong devotion to the arts. (Also, what an investment! I wonder how much it is worth today?!)
- Guided Tour: A guide walks you through key pieces with some engaging backstories and context - making the visit feel more enriching as an experience.
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Sheikh Rashid is seen as the foremost patron of the arts in Bahrain. An established artist and avid art collector, he is Chairman of the National Council for the Arts (2021), Founder and Honorary President of the Bahrain Arts Society (1983), and Founder of The Art Station (2024), aimed at nurturing talent through workshops, lectures, and artist residencies. In the past, he has supported and advocated for the arts through an online arts publication called ‘ART Bahrain’.