PHOTO EXHIBITION "EQUINE TREASURES" IN BAHRAIN

Sometimes life prepares very nice surprises for us. This is a recount of my recent adventure.

I was asked to mount a photo exhibition at the Animal Kingdom Mara’ee 2019 Show in Bahrain on a very short three week timeline. My first thought was that this was unrealistic. However, the challenge was tempting, and with the capable professionals from Pico Bahrain, the task was undertaken. The parameters of the exhibition were decided upon. Photos from the favorite horses of kings and monarchs were chosen. These included some from the Andalusian, Lusitano, Freisian, Arabian and Marwari breeds. Foto Grafika provided their priceless help in the preparation of files for large prints. The hosts took care of the decorations and the enlargements made on acrylic medium (some as large as two meters!).

Congratulations to our hosts on their wonderful handling of the nine invited artists, working in a variety of mediums, and from various parts of the world. All work focused on the selected horse topic and was beautifully displayed. The white painted walls were a perfect backdrop for the paintings and sculptures. The photographs were mounted on green and black backgrounds. All work was further enhanced by spotlights. I wish for all my future exhibitions to be handled with such sensitivity, diligence and good taste.

The invited guests included the King of Bahrain His Majesty Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and many dignitaries. We were entertained in the elegant venue by Members of the Turkman Group. Then the King and the gathered guests went to the exhibition tent, where they visited the stand of each artist. I had the honor and pleasure to greet His Royal Highness, give him my two original albums and show the photo exhibition. It was a memorable night!

I was pleased to be part of this select group of artists whose work all focused on their passion for horses. It gave us an instant common language. The experience of discovering Bahrain together allowed for further bonding. I hope to stay in touch with Stephanie Ravennaugh and Douwe Blumberg from The USA, Daniela Nikolova-Sidiropoulou from Greece, David Noalia from Spain, Oussama Mahassina from Morocco, and Dino Pico, representing his father Achilles Pico, from Italy.

It was a great adventure. An amazing week was spent in the company of wonderful people.Thank you all! I hope to see you sometime, somewhere, again.