The Kuwaiti modern art movement emerged in the 1930s, Kuwait has the oldest modern arts movement in the Arabian Peninsula.[1] Kuwait is home to more than 20 art galleries.[2] In recent years, Kuwait's contemporary art scene has boomed.[3][4][5] Kuwait has the second most lively gallery scene in the GCC (after Dubai).[6][7][8]

The Amiri Diwan recently inaugurated the new Kuwait National Cultural District (KNCD), which comprises Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre, Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre, Al Shaheed Park, and Al Salam Palace.[9][10] With a capital cost of more than US$1 billion, the project is one of the largest cultural investments in the world.[10] In November 2016, the Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre opened.[11][12] It is the largest cultural centre in the Middle East.[13][14] The Kuwait National Cultural District is a member of the Global Cultural Districts Network.[15]

History

Kuwait has the oldest modern arts movement in the Arabian Peninsula.[1] Beginning in 1936, Kuwait was the first Gulf country to grant scholarships in the arts.[1] The Kuwaiti artist Mojeb al-Dousari was the earliest recognized visual artist in the Persian Gulf region.[16] He is regarded as the founder of portrait art in the region.[17] In 1943, al-Dousari launched Kuwait's first art gallery.

The Sultan Gallery was the first professional Arab art gallery in the Persian Gulf region.[18][19] Khalifa Al-Qattan was the first Kuwaiti artist to hold a solo artist exhibition in Kuwait. He founded a new art theory in the early 1960s known as "circulism".[20][21] Other notable Kuwaiti artists include Sami Mohammad, Thuraya Al-Baqsami and Suzan Bushnaq.

Art galleries

List of art galleries in Kuwait:

References

  1. ^ a b c Bloom, Jonathan; Blair, Sheila S.; Blair, Sheila (14 May 2009). Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art & Architecture: Three-Volume Set. p. 405. ISBN 978-0-19-530991-1.
  2. ^ "Culture of Kuwait". Kuwait Embassy in Austria. Archived from the original on 2016-10-25. Retrieved 2017-04-01.
  3. ^ "Egyptian Artist Fatma, talks about the gateway to human faces and equality for all". Reconnecting Arts.
  4. ^ "Kuwaiti Artist Rua AlShaheen tells us about recycling existing elements to tell a new narrative". Reconnecting Arts.
  5. ^ "Farah Behbehani & the Story of the letter Haa '". Al Ostoura Magazine. Archived from the original on 2017-08-22. Retrieved 2017-09-03.
  6. ^ "Kuwait City's 10 Stunning Contemporary Art Galleries". The Culture Trip.
  7. ^ "Creative Industries in Kuwait". Government of Netherlands.
  8. ^ "Kuwait". Gulf Art Guide. Archived from the original on 2017-03-04. Retrieved 2017-03-03.
  9. ^ "Kuwait National Cultural District". Archived from the original on 2021-04-17. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  10. ^ a b "Kuwait National Cultural District Museums Director" (PDF). 28 August 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-01-25.
  11. ^ "Kuwait unveils $775M Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre". 7 December 2016. Archived from the original on 27 December 2016.
  12. ^ "Opening of the Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre a milestone in the illustrious company's history". 7 December 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-12-27.
  13. ^ "أمير الكويت يدشن أكبر مركز ثقافي في الشرق الأوسط.. و4 جواهر تضيء شاطئ الخليج". Oman Daily (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2017-08-29.
  14. ^ "UK Trade & Investment" (PDF). UK Trade & Investment. June 2016. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-12-21.
  15. ^ "Current Members – Global Cultural Districts Network". Global Cultural Districts Network.
  16. ^ Al Qassemi, Sultan Sooud (22 November 2013). "Correcting misconceptions of the Gulf's modern art movement". Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East.
  17. ^ "Kuwait". Atelier Voyage. Archived from the original on 2014-11-29.
  18. ^ Kristine Khouri. "Mapping Arab Art through the Sultan Gallery". ArteEast.
  19. ^ "The Sultan Gallery – Kristine Khouri". YouTube.
  20. ^ Muayad H., Hussain (2012). Modern Art from Kuwait: Khalifa Qattan and Circulism (PDF) (PhD thesis). University of Birmingham.
  21. ^ "Khalifa Qattan, Founder of Circulism".
  22. ^ "Dar Al Funoon". Archived from the original on 2019-05-09. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
  23. ^ "CAP Kuwait".
  24. ^ "Boushahri Gallery".
  25. ^ "Sultan Gallery".
  26. ^ "Grand Re-Opening of Free Art Atelier".
  27. ^ "Den Gallery". Archived from the original on 2019-08-31. Retrieved 2016-11-17.
  28. ^ "Den Gallery in Kuwait". Red Bull.
  29. ^ "Den Gallery Instagram".
  30. ^ "The Hub".
  31. ^ "Al Mashreq Gallery".
  32. ^ "Art Galleries and Museums in Kuwait".
  33. ^ "AM Art & Design Gallery".
  34. ^ "Art Space: Kuwait's Latest Community Art Centre and Cafe".
  35. ^ "Art Space".
  36. ^ "Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) Kuwait". Archived from the original on 2016-09-14. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
  37. ^ "Kuwait Art Museum Succeeds Where Others Have Failed". HuffPost.
  38. ^ "Kuwait's Hidden Jewel: The Modern Art Museum". HuffPost.
  39. ^ "Al-Makan". Archived from the original on 2018-08-16. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
  40. ^ "Al-Makan". Archived from the original on 2018-08-16. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
  41. ^ "Masaha 13". Archived from the original on 2016-10-10. Retrieved 2017-01-13.
  42. ^ "Center of the Arts". Archived from the original on 2018-09-02. Retrieved 2016-11-11.
  43. ^ "Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah at Yarmouk Cultural Centre". Archived from the original on 2015-10-05. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
  44. ^ "Manifesto 13".
  45. ^ "Promenade Culture Centre unveils 'Our Story: Expressions of Cultural Identity' Art Exhibition" (PDF).
  46. ^ "Wejha".
  47. ^ "Fann Way Gallery".
  48. ^ "ASCC".

External links

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