“A New Wave” is an exhibition that collects artworks from three artists from the Kingdom of Bahrain that push boundaries and incite dialogue. Bahrain is one of seven countries from the GCC region and has always acted as a pioneer in the arts and for outspoken voices. Salman Al Najem, Mashael Al Saie and Aysha Al Moayyed have made it a point in their practice to put the Middle East, specifically Gulf Countries, under a microscope in an effort to uncover the layers of nuances and contexts hiding beneath the surface. To explore one’s identity and to bravely and unapologetically approach controversial topics is a new paradigm shift which is evidence that our region is ready to partake in Post-contemporary ethos. 

With Salman Al Najem’s work he blankets his canvas with the “Qitra” (Male headscarf) and paints scenes satirising the Gulf’s materialistic culture, its toxic masculinity and hypocrisies that are neatly hidden behind religion and conservatism. Mashael Al Saie creates short films that dissect the male gaze and traditional norms to try and find a reflection of herself. Through her work Bahraini audiences can hear their dialect coming from her protagonists mouths, a rarity in the world of arts and film. Her work not creates platform for the underrepresented but showcases gender spatial politics and imprints of collective memory. Aysha Al Moayyed work is not confined to a particular medium or style, however, her therianthropic figures in her paintings act as representatives