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An artistic appeal to help preserve Bahrain's ecology and to promote world peace is back in focus with the reprint of Denis O'Dwyer's enchanting book entitled Abbas Al Mosawi and the Colours of Bahrain in English and, for the first time, in Arabic.
Sponsored by Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), the new publication pays tribute to the BD3 million Shaikha Sabeeka Park in Awali by featuring a series of Abbas Al Mosawi's latest paintings that were inspired by a visit to the park.
The book's author, Irish art collector Mr O'Dwyer, a human resource professional who worked with Saudi Aramco for 13 years, focuses on Mr Al Mosawi's artistic history and his endeavours to raise awareness of peace and environmental issues.
Mr O'Dwyer said: "Abbas feels that as an artist he has to be involved in society and cannot be confined to an ivory tower. He is different. For him, a painting does not become a painting unless a viewer sees it.
"One of his daughters is diabetic and so he is also involved in creating awareness of diabetes and sells paintings for charity. He is not a rich man but he feels he has to do it.
"In 1994 he started a movement called Peace 2000 where he got young people and artists from all over the world to paint for peace and for the environment.
"In 1998 he painted a 13m long, 2m high installation with 16 panels - it was his statement about the 21st Century. This is the most important artistic statement about the environment that has come out of the Gulf countries in recent years.
"I was drawn to him in 1991, during the Gulf War, when I heard of Abbas painting 1,440 squares in 24 hours because there are as many minutes in the day. Each square was painted for exactly one minute and his idea was to square the circle and stop the war. As an artist that was all he could do and his primary concern was to end the bloodbath.
"I am attracted by his energy and humility.
"The theme of the new book is about how greenery is disappearing from the island and which is why the new park in Awali is a step in the right direction."
Alongside a visual treat of 200 paintings by Abbas Al Mosawi and other artists, an important feature of the book is a detailed timeline that contextualises Mr Al Mosawi's work with important events in Bahrain and around the world.
It relates the artist's story of growing up in Manama, studying in Cairo, paying back the government scholarship as an art teacher and finally turning professional in 1986.
"I describe, I analyse and I evaluate," said Mr O'Dwyer. "People want to read a story. They don't want to just see pictures.
"Artists are careless about writing dimensions and there are no archives. I had to first do an inventory of his paintings.
"There is a lot of ignorance about the Middle East. And, we have Abbas here who is an individual who has humanity, generosity and kindness and he is also an artist. He is from Bahrain, which I believe is unique for its artistic flair. It has always been present here and that was a story I wanted to tell."
The author believes that Abbas is successfully producing paintings that will create a link with the past for generations to come. He said: "Abbas is at home with abstract and figurative art. He has total mastery of his technique and is producing iconic milestones for his own people to see.
"You cannot separate yourself from your past, your roots. It is with you ... the link is there and that is what Abbas is doing for the Bahraini people. When they see these paintings they can relate to it.
"The park at Awali is an attempt to focus attention to the disappearing greenery. Beside the refinery there is an artificial lake and an island. The water is so pure that flamingos come to feed on the water and fish and prawns flourish.
"There is a desulphurisation plant that has zero emissions. It proves that man has a capacity to change."
The Arabic translation of Abbas Al Mosawi and the Colours of Bahrain is in the process and is being done by Dr Mohammed Al Khozai, head of Academic and Executive Centre at Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance.
The books go on sale for BD30 from next month and will be available at tourist shops and Abbas Al Mosawi's gallery in the renovated area of Manama souq.
For more information email the author on deode_2000@yahoo.com or visit https://coloursofbahrain.com
