Muharraq: The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) is honoring the late Bahraini artist Rashid Al Oraifi through the event ‘Rashid Al Oraifi Museum: Artistic Legacy,’ held at his museum in Muharraq from 8 to 11 October 2025, between 4 PM and 8 PM. This initiative is part of the Authority’s efforts to preserve and promote the Kingdom’s cultural movement by highlighting significant milestones in Bahrain’s artistic history.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the open-house experience offers visitors an opportunity to explore Al Oraifi’s artistic journey, with his paintings, sculptures, and various works displayed throughout the museum. His creations, inspired by the Dilmun civilization, showcase a blend of heritage and contemporary innovation through unique symbols and forms.
The event is not a final farewell but a step towards a new chapter. A selection of Al Oraifi’s works, donated by his family to honor his artistic legacy, will be preserved and exhibited at the Bahrain National Museum. This collection includes paintings, sculptures, documents, furniture, and personal belongings, all reflecting his profound impact on Bahrain’s cultural landscape.
The Authority expressed appreciation for the initiative and the trust shown by the late artist’s family. It emphasized that this rare collection significantly enhances the Bahrain National Museum’s offerings and represents a critical effort in preserving Bahrain’s artistic heritage for future generations.
Al Oraifi was instrumental in shaping Bahrain’s modern art movement from the early days of his career. He joined the Family of Art Amateurs in 1963 and held his first solo exhibition in 1967 at Al Oruba Club. He later helped establish the Bahrain Contemporary Art Association and became renowned for his Dilmunian style, characterized by expressive symbols, seals, stones, and ceramics.
In addition to his visual art contributions, Al Oraifi authored several books documenting Bahrain’s material culture and folk heritage. His works include ‘Bahraini Arts’ (1970), ‘Bahraini Architecture,’ ‘Traditional Games,’ ‘The Bahraini Heritage Series,’ and ‘Dilmunian Horizons.’
Throughout his more than five-decade-long career, Al Oraifi received numerous honors, including the First Class Medal in 2007 from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the State Appreciation and Encouragement Award in 1989, the GCC Excellence Award in 1994, and the Medal of Arab Historians.