A group of Bahraini and Saudi artists is displaying a series of striking works in the kingdom, nodding to the historical bond and camaraderie between the two countries, writes Rima Alhaddad.
The Sound of Water exhibition, staged by the Bahrain Arts Society, runs at the Art Centre in Manama until January 10, 2026. It brings alive the talents’ distinct interpretations of the theme through diverse styles, from paintings to sculptures. While some of the exhibits reflect directly onto the topic, others have more relaxed undertones.
Bahraini artist Mayasa Alsowaidi explores the subject with her larger-than-life creation entitled The Wave. The assistant professor from Muharraq, who leans into big pieces, believes that her six-by-two-metre acrylic-on-canvas painting perfectly suits the exhibition’s title.
“My artwork is a visual expression of the idea of continuous movement in waves and in the universe in general,” the 50-year-old creative talent told GulfWeekly.
“I relied on the golden ratio, as a mathematical and aesthetic system present in nature and a form of cosmic balance. The execution process began with initial layers in black and white. I then gradually built up the colour layers by adding and emphasising blue, in harmony with the work’s theme,” she added.
Open to spectators’ personal interpretation as to the connection with the ‘sound of water’, Bahraini sculptour Mahdi Albannai’s ceramic and gold-plated exhibits draw inspiration from the ‘movement and diversity of cacti’ – a desert plant known for its ability to store large amounts of water in its stems.
“The inspiration came to me when I was observing cacti in the wild. It caught my eye how unique they are – they come in different shapes that do not repeat,” the 62-year-old, who grew up in Ras Rumman, noted.
“My personal style involves human and animal shapes so, I had the idea to combine the two to create colourful, animal-like creatures with features of a cactus.”
Mahdi designed four such sculptures, two of which he presented in Jordan and they were sold out. Like Mahdi, some of the artists have blown new life into their latest existing works for the exhibition. Saudi artist Zaman Jassim’s mixed media piece Mahabba (‘Love’) is part of his ‘The Other’ series that he has been working on for fifteen years. It originated with the satellite dish as a symbolic platform for broadcasting – not in the technical sense but as a space for transmitting words, meaning, and positive human values.
“I chose the word ‘mahabba’ as the conceptual centrepiece, considering it an energy that is both transmitted and received – a relationship that transcends language and reaches the realm of feeling,” the 54-year-old from Qatif said, adding that for this event, it is a symbolic expression of the emotional and historical bond between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Illustrator Fatimah Alnemer, also from Qatif, showcases her mixed media exhibit made of recycled materials – leather, silk, and woven linen. Thaat Nourein (‘The Two Lights’) draws inspiration from the folklore and stories of the Gulf region, specifically from Qatif – a region known for its thriving creative community.
“It explores the concept of balance between water and Earth as two essential elements of life, and the wisdom of nature in its bounty and its punishment,” the 41-year-old added.
