Barry Mulholland

Barry Mulholland

Barry Mulholland’s planned commission work - RAK lends its name from the northern Emirate of Ras al Khaimah, in the united Arabs Emirates. This project began in late 2020 after moving to the UAE, and researching into the once flourishing pearl-fishing village of Jazirat Al Hamra(red island).This forgotten village has a rich complex past, ranging from neo-lithic archaeological sites,to18th-century fortifications used to in battles against the British east India Company. Due to rapid urbanisation under oil wealth, the region became abandoned, with the last of the Zaabi tribe moving out. Since then, this town has become synonymous with eerie happenings, and haunted poems emerge from the crumbing coral-bricked remains.
This proposed commission work will be an attempt at reconnecting to the experience, local literature and cultural experience of living next to the ghost town of Al-Hamra.