Bahraini artists Jamal Abdulrahim, Ayman Jaafar, Seema Baqi and Mayasa Al Sowaidi share their metaphors with Suman Doonga
An airline window opens to the tactile fluidity of nature abstracts, the fire and ice elements almost merging into each other. A series of doors is waiting to be opened. Metaphorically, they were Bahraini artists’ attempts to break out of their inner world and blend their creative streaks with the rest of the world.
A group of artists, sculptors and photographers from Bahrain expressed themselves on canvas and chose themes that connect them with us at the first India-Bahrain Arts Exchange, The Unsaid by ArtBab (Art Bahrain Across Borders). It was curated by eminent Indian artist Alka Raghuvanshi and director of ArtBab Kaneka Subberwal, and supported by Tamkeen at the Bikaner House. Eminent artist, philanthropist and award-winning sculptor Rouble Nagi hosted the show with the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of the king of Bahrain and president of the Supreme Council for Women ArtBab.
Participating artists at the exhibition included Ayman Jaffar, Balqees Fakhro, Dawiya Al Alawiat, Faika Al Hasan, Hamed Al Bosta, Jamal Abdulrahim, Karina El Zu bi, Lulwa Al Khalifa, Mariam Fakhro, Maryam Nass, Mohammed Taha, Nabeela Al Khayer, Omar Al Rashid, Seema Baqi, Somaya Abdulghani, Taiba Faraj, Zakeya Zada and Mayasa Al Sowaidi.
This initiative aims to provide a platform to Bahraini artists exposing them to local and international aspirational values. Said Nagi, “As we live in a global world connected by the internet to people living thousands of miles away, art proves to be an efficient medium for cultural exchange. The intersection of cultures has provided a fertile ground for artistic inspiration and creativity which reflects cultural evolution and progress of the nation.”
According to Dr Ebrahim Mohammed Janahi, CEO Tamkeen, the art sector has gained importance as an engine of economic growth, not only locally but across the region. The Indian art scene is considered among the most developed in the region with outstanding talent, and to showcase the works of Bahraini artists in India, would be a huge platform for the artists.
Kaneka Subberwal, Fair and Programme Director of ArtBab, said, “We are proud to organise an art exhibition for the first time ever in India and develop a connect with Indian art enthusiasts. This initiative has the potential to grow much grander and accommodate more talented artists in the future. We not only provide a platform for Bahraini artists to showcase their work globally, it also acts as an umbrella for the creation of a common space for galleries and artists across the globe to associate with collectors and art aficionados. Our exceptional artists from Bahrain are extremely excited to showcase their extraordinary work. We wish to empower the artists by taking Bahrain to the global art industry and bringing the global art community to Bahrain.”
The artwork reflect Bahrain’s script, culture, people and landscapes in various forms. Beautiful and lyrical, the artists defined their creative context in voices that are not tentative but very audible within their space. The artists showcased their imagination by underlining the unsaid and highlighting the said.
Artist Jamal Abdulrahim’s work was inspired by the rich Arab civilisation, its mythology, religion and language. Said he, “Working on stone fills the soul with a special kind of pleasure that cannot be explained, as art is a spiritual exercise which cannot be ignored or dispensed with by artists and audiences both.”
Ayman Jaafar’s calligraphic explorations, on the other hand, reflected the nature of integrity and resonated with the concept that all manifestations of matter and spirit are ultimately one. His work was unique and comprised words with usage of Arabic alphabets, opening up a world of mysticism.
Seema Baqi used creative imagination and expression in abstract pieces telling the story of Sufi culture and its ideologies of selflessness, simplicity and the journey to self-actualization. Much like Bahraini culture, the root of Sufism is based on the practices of loyalty, love and truthful intentions. Baqi said, “The spiritual element is an important component and an intrinsic part of my lyrical works.”
Mayasa Al Sowaidi is a self-taught artist and her landscapes seemed cloistered together, almost suffocating in their closeness. And true to her background in mathematics, balance and order are important components of her artistic practice. Her creativity and freedom of expression were characterized by its distinct shapes and impression. Art is an essential part of life for all these 18 experimental artists as it allows them the freedom of expression.
Source : http://www.dailypioneer.com/vivacity/beyond-wordplay.html
