Manama, the capital of Bahrain.
Ammar Basher He has worked for royalty or for different celebrities. In most of his projects, like the last one, The Green Corner –a building in which old documents and paintings are restored–, in Shaikh Ebrahim Center, the elements he uses are made by local artisans and, if the project is commissioned in other parts of the world, these handcrafted pieces are shipped from here to this destination: A working method that the artist himself considers a kind of cultural diplomacy.
This interview is part of "The World Made Local", a global project of Condé Nast Traveler in the seven international editions, which gives voice to 100 people in 100 countries to find out why his own territory should be your next destination.
You share your time between London and Bahrain. How is Bahrain at the design level?
There is an interesting cottage industry that ranges from building wooden boats (dhows) to pottery and embroidery and that it has laid the groundwork for more innovative approaches in these and other trades. As it is an island and has been a center of trade in the past, the influences of all these countries that have passed through here are palpable in the art and culture. Also, now, everything is much more accessible.
What is your latest discovery?
I enjoy creating bespoke environments and venturing outside of my comfort zones, so I'm always looking for something special. Whether it's a sculptor, a carpenter or a mosaic artist. I always try to reach out to that highly skilled workforce. My most recent discovery is Hala Kaiksow, a young fashion designer promising, that she uses traditional embroidery in her designs. She did all the bedding for my hotel project, Nuzul Al Salam. A boutique hotel, in the old streets of Muharraq, that I designed together with the Shaikh Ebrahim Center and the Ministry of Culture and Youth of the United Arab Emirates. Preserving traditional houses has become a vital part of my career and the process was very personal. The project has been very well received at all levels, so I'm very proud.
If a friend was visiting for just 24 hours, where would you take them?
we would start in GreenBar, a cafe that only uses local and seasonal ingredients and where they also produce and sell beauty products made in Bahrain. Then we would go to learn a little about the culture and the historical context of the country. The Bahrain National Museum and the museum The Path of the Pearls, which gives access to Al-Muharraq Medina, they are perfect as they tell a unique story of the pearl trade that represents a large part of our cultural identity. For lunch, Haji, in the old manama souk to try the local dishes. EITHER My Cafe also for lunch or dinner – I love to catch up here with friends on the terrace. Another wonderful place is La Fontaine Contemporary Art Center, a historic house in the heart of old Manama which has been restored and renovated to become a contemporary art gallery, a restaurant and a spa. Fatima Alireza, the owner, hired me to design my first art exhibition right after I graduated, so it has a very special meaning for me.
A unique souvenir and where to buy it
for the classics pearls –gold or natural,– traditional clothes, fragrances or food, nothing better than the old souks of Manama and Muharraq. I can spend hours there and end up going to the local perfumers and making my own fragrance.
The perfect place to relax...
I rarely have free time, but when I do I love to rent a villa in the The Ritz-Carlton and enjoy the sea views. At sunset, the sight of the pink flamingos is beautiful.