Artist Reem Acason stood next to one of her paintings – Photo: Rochester Art Gallery
Discover how two cultures contrast and overlap at a new exhibition at Rochester Art Gallery.
Artist Reem Acason is a multi-disciplinary artist and arts educator who was born in Bahrain and lives in Britain.
Her exhibition ‘Two Seas’ opens at Rochester Art Gallery in the High Street from Friday, 28 April to Saturday, 15 July.
‘Two Seas’ is the English translation of the island of Bahrain. The exhibition will feature paintings, prints and installations which will highlight and celebrate legacies related to the sea and the sharing of knowledge, technology, science, literature and art between cultures.
Reem uses a wide variety of materials in her work and incorporates symbolically significant materials – from paper made locally in Bahrain from date palm leaves to old fishing nets donated by fishermen working along the Sussex coastline.
The exhibition is part of the Shubbak Festival, which is the UK’s largest festival of contemporary Arab culture.
As part of the Medway Print Festival, there will also be free printmaking workshops at Rochester Art Gallery with Reem on Saturday, 10 June, running from 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm. Those who attend will be able to make wildlife prints using recycled packaging. The workshop is suitable for adults and children aged eight and above if accompanied by an adult. Booking is not required.
Sure to intrigue and educate residents and visitors
Paul Cowell, Head of Culture and Libraries at Medway Council, said: “I am pleased that this fantastic exhibition is taking place at Rochester Art Gallery. We are proud of Medway’s rich maritime history and the concept behind this exhibition is sure to intrigue and educate both residents and visitors. I would also encourage people to come down and take part in the free print workshops – which provide a brilliant opportunity for people to get creative and hands on with art.”
Admission to the exhibition is free. Rochester Art Gallery is open between 9am and 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday at Medway Visitor Centre, 95 High Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1LX.
Find out more about the exhibition and workshops News archive