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Transition, class struggle, memories, displacement and mental health are just a few of the themes that prominent painter Yasmin Drummond has captured in her first exhibition on the island.
Now on display at the British Embassy residence, Yasmin’s abstract art exhibition captures the essence of what connects humanity – from the playful to the painful.
“Beyond my passion for it, painting and art are my obsession and I need them to express and channel my emotions, so especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, I was creating at all times of the day,” Yasmin, British ambassador Roderick’s wife, told GulfWeekly during a media tour of the private exhibition.
“The pandemic gave me more time to create and I wanted to reflect the emotions that I was going through, as well as what I observed in the world around.”
Many of the mixed media paintings have been created during the lockdown, reflecting Yasmin’s emotions and moods during the pandemic, when social engagements were reduced in frequency and size, in line with social distancing guidelines.
Case in point – her piece, 2020, as highlighted in our sister newspaper the Gulf Daily News on Monday, captures the mental anguish and social isolation that many are experiencing, simultaneously yet within the four walls of their own homes, set against a blurred yet ephemeral background.
Meanwhile, her painting, Living in Hope is dark yet with a glimmer of light, as one can empathise with the universal hope of being able to socially interact in a normal manner again.
She has also depicted the transitionary and metamorphic changes she went through as well as the societal commonalities she witnessed amidst the 14 cultures she has experienced first-hand.
Her piece, Island life, depicts the displaced yet shared nature of the ‘islanders’ in whose midst she has found herself.
Yasmin is known for blending abstract and figurative elements in her work, exploring issues and emotions that connect humanity.
A lot of her pieces are open to interpretation, like her piece In My View. While at first glance, the bright pink colours capture the eye and curiosity thrusts one towards the window to figure out what the figures outside are up to, Roderick chuckled as he remarked that it brought to mind the idea of a policed and watched society constantly under surveillance.
The British artist of Middle Eastern origin who was born in Germany prefers not to start with an agenda and allows paintings to develop organically, capturing the spontaneity and intensity of emotions in the moment.
She has also been using this time to expand her palette.
“I have also been exploring copper and iron oxides during this time, not just because I like to constantly expand my palette as an artist,” she explained.
“I also think that during the pandemic, to a certain extent, our lives have become stagnant, even as they have changed dramatically and the oxidising nature of iron and copper in my work reflects that perfectly.”
Roderick added: “It’s been a time that people have been busy with personal projects, and for Yasmine, that means more painting than before, especially during the summer months.
“So when the summer ended, we thought it would be good to share some of this art. While we would have previously rented a hall to display the art, we can’t do that right now. So we decided to have it here, and show the art as it is meant to be experienced – within a home.
“This way, we can do it in a way that’s safe for everybody and gives us a chance to walk them through the pieces themselves.”
Previously, Yasmin has been part of solo and group exhibitions in Fiji and London and her works hang in homes across four continents.
In Fiji, her collaboration with local artists and exhibitions at the British High Commission, Leleuvia Gallery, Fiji National Museum and Alliance Francaise helped persuade the government to found a National Museum of Contemporary Art.
In this exhibition, a portion of the proceeds from each sale will go to Mind, a UK-based mental health charity.
The exhibition has been viewed by a small number of guests, including Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, president of Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, as well as ambassadors and representatives from other embassies in the kingdom.
To check out Yasmin’s art, follow @abstractivities on Instagram.
