Art Bahrain Across Borders – ArtBAB is Bahrain’s foremost international art fair held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women.

The foundational mission of this art fair is to attract leading international galleries to the Kingdom, so powering the expansion of the art market whilst facilitating the development of local Bahraini artists.

Manama, Bahrain’s capital city, is fast emerging as West Asia's foremost art and culture hub and is uniquely positioned as the centre for contemporary art: by 2014 Bahraini artists were selling over USD $8.7 million – contributing to the growth of the market eager to explore and collect Bahraini art.

Within Bahrain, there is a vibrant population of over 1.2 million which includes many Bahraini collectors, Bahraini and non-national art-lovers who have high disposable income keen to engage with local and international contemporary art.

ArtBAB   plays a pivotal role in keeping the national economy humming while buttressing the Kingdom’s 2030 Economic Vision, underpinned by three aims — sustainability, fairness, competitiveness and is seen as the bridge between Bahrain and the global art market, and the narrative of each fair will reflect this.

Providing education and engagement, ArtBAB also provides a platform for collectors, artists and galleries to meet, converse and support the development of the local contemporary art market whilst facilitating international exposure within the Kingdom.

Exceeding expectations, from the second edition of ArtBAB 2017, ArtBAB 2018 saw strong attendance and a 40% increase in sales ArtBAB 2018 hosted 60 participants from Bahrain, UAE, Bulgaria, France, Ukraine, UK, India, Italy, Belgium and others.

Entering into its 4th Edition, ArtBAB will take place from 6-10 March 2019 at the Bahrain International Convention & Exhibition Centre.

ArtBAB is the flagship project of Art Select, the Bahrain-based art advisory, consulting and creating artists, art platforms, events and investor portfolios

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