On the evening of November 29, 2016, Her Royal Highness Princess Tessy of Luxembourg, Her Royal Highness Princess Tatiana of Greece, Her Royal Highness Princess Martha-Louise of Norway, His Highness Shaikh Rashid Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Her Serene Highness Princess Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, and Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck of Bhutan, The Dragon Queen Mother attended the opening of the Royal Bridges exhibition entitled, Convergence, held at the Ritz Carlton Dubai International Financial Center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Established by His Highness Shaikh Rashid Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa Royal Bridges is an:

“…artistic forum that challenges the role typically assigned to royalty globally – but as artists themselves – and not merely patrons of the arts.

Royal Bridges is comprised of leading artists from imperial, royal, princely and noble houses from around the globe, who are at the forefront of contemporary art, design, fashion and musical performances.

Throughout history, art in its various forms has been a pursuit – not merely an avocation for monarchs, princes and princesses – yet their artistic contributions are more often than not, overshadowed by their own lineages.

Royal Bridges steps in to fill in the gap and contend the stereotype of royal patronage with the dearth of artistic talent, which is often associated with ruling houses.
With so many amazing artists hailing from royal and princely houses, Royal Bridges is the platform for dialogue amongst cultures and styles, bridging relationships and gaining a new perspective on contemporary art.”

The exhibition Convergence aims to:

“…bring together for the first time in the history of art, an exceptional mix of royal and princely artists from around the world celebrating contemporary art in the City of Dubai.

Featuring a plethora of paintings, sculptures, jewelry designs and musical performances, Convergence considers global interchange in modern and contemporary art by providing a firsthand view at the work of twenty-first century royal and princely artists’ across disciplines who have proven professional record and international recognition.

This exceptional exhibition amongst these artists whose own histories are deeply intertwined with rich stories are the product of their unique personalities and circumstances, serving as examples of the magic that befalls when individuals put their passions and ideals into practice. It shall demonstrate how their work is the product of multi-directional global dialogues between their cosmopolitan cultural heritages as well as their colloquy with major art movements of their time and countries of origin.

Convergence demonstrates the passion and vision, that continuously illuminate the possibilities that these artists have to offer not simply as patrons of the arts but as actors themselves: thereby enhancing the viewer’s understanding of modern-day royalty, in exhibition form – a topic that has been underrepresented in the artistic historical discourse.”

Photos courtesy of Instagram