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Artist Nariman Adel who stole people’s hearts in Bahrain with her wonderfully-detailed wing mural in Adliya is now spreading her love for intricately-designed images on sweaters, bags and stickers.
The 27-year-old, who describes herself as a detailed artist, was requested by Al Riwaq Art Space to create street art for The Nest’s outdoor art market event in 2017.
One wing represented social outlines and society measures while the other featured flow and symbolised breaking free, as well as being true to oneself.
“People took tonnes of pictures of my Adliya wings and loved the mural,” said Nariman from Juffair. “It gave me a push to put my art out there. However, after they took it down I didn’t want my art to end. I really wanted a piece of my work to be left with others.”
That’s how her concept of ‘Inkling’ was born. Her favourite tool has always been the ink pen.
“My art also may appear to be one thing,” she added, “but if you look closer, it’s then something else.
“What better way for people to enjoy my art and for them to keep it close to their hearts than by putting my prints on items they can constantly use!”
Nariman has created original artwork to print on sweaters, hoodies, long and short sleeved shirts, tote bags, stickers, cards and bookmarks.
Her daring designs, which have also been featured on walls around Bahrain, vary to include images of animals and nature, the human anatomy such as the heart, lungs and brain, tribal patterns, mandala’s and more.
She finds inspiration from nature, flowers and anything related to animals.
She added: “Each design has a story to tell. For example, my lungs print resembles a beautiful soul or a beautiful heart. Also, the brain heart art is basically finding the balance between both of them. My mask design is also about being unusual and special.
“I hope people love my pieces, especially as I was told while growing up that what I do is not actual art!
“I want my pieces to be personal to people as well as to express different personalities. I hope it makes people feel as special as I do when I am making art.”
It seems various social media influencers and athletes have fallen for her sweaters, hoodies and tops as many have been caught across the kingdom sporting her flower power skeleton chest, octopus print and whale art.
“When it comes to fashion, I think a person should be comfortable and unique,” she said.
Nariman, the marketing and sales manager at Doctori Online Services, used to be an introvert growing up and found solace in art. She started creating outfits for her Barbie dolls and completing as many colouring books as she could. Her pen was her weapon of choice and she would sketch, doodle and draw on paper to her heart’s content. She went on to study interior design at the University of Bahrain, worked in Egypt for a year and underwent a six-month mentorship as a graphic designer in India before returning to Bahrain and taking up her current post.
Those interested in her designs can follow @inkling8_8 on Instagram.
