Kaneka Subberwal has many firsts to her credit and she has built on this pioneering spirit to make her vision her mission and persisted despite all odds to make what seemed like an impossible dream then to put Bahrain in the reckoning as far as art was concerned.

Her initiative is to make Bahrain a focal point for art in the West Asian region and establish a forward thinking platform to promote the growth of art in the country. She takes this many steps forward with BAAB – Bahrain Art Across Borders – an initiative powered by Tamkeen to take the art of the artists of Bahrain across borders globally.

As co-founder of ArtBahrain she has put Bahrain firmly on the global art map. Her persistence and conviction has paid off and now ArtBahrain is well into its second edition slated for later this year. Her great desire is to be the much needed conduit for local Bahraini artists and the international art community to experience the wealth of culture of the wonderful island nation as she has.

She arrived in Bahrain in 2008 with her company Art Select and set up Bahrain’s first art lounge then expanded to art consultation to include artists, collectors, families and corporate offices within the ambit of the arts. She organized a number of art shows across the country – with ArtBahrain being a culmination of sorts, considering the commendable impact it has had in the region, especially since art fairs are a relatively new phenomenon in the region.

She hopes to create a common space for galleries and artists from around the globe to connect with collectors and art aficionados, whilst hoping that neighbouring Arab States will be more proactive in investing in and promoting their contemporary artists to the world.