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A NUMBER of young creatives have come together at the Safeya Ali Kanoo Hub to explore different ways rituals ‘reconnect and restore the self’ through art, writes Mai Al-Khatib Camille.
The seven-strong squad showcased their colourful creations at the ‘Rituals through the Magnifying Glass’ exhibition, being held under the patronage of Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities director-general of culture and arts Shaikha Hala bint Mohammed Al Khalifa until tomorrow (October 5) at the centre in Manama.
“I would like to thank my aunt, Safeya Kanoo, for building an art space that gives a younger generation of artists the chance to showcase our work,” said Lujane Yacoub, known to all as this year’s Miss Universe Bahrain.
The 18-year-old Bahraini American, who teaches children art and volunteers at local community centres, is featuring two triptychs, three digital art pieces and one original acrylic work at the event launched on September 24.
“For many of us, this is their first proper show at a gallery,” said Lujane whose style tends more towards illustrations. “You’ll find the majority of my work focuses on the female form and women who are ‘characters’. There is often a dystopian touch to my pieces too, a slightly sinister clue that things aren’t as perfect as they seem.”
The focal point of Lujane’s work is the triptych, which is a picture or relief carving on three panels, entitled Perfect Dystopia.
“It’s bold, clean and pastel,” she said. “There is a repetition to the image too; something you find in pop art - like Warhol’s soup cans or Esther’s flying horses.
“When our art group was preparing for this show, we spent some time analysing each other’s work. It was pointed out to me that I often draw women who’ve got an edge. I’m a big fan of Yoshitomo Nara’s girls; they are adorable and pastel, but you know better than to mess with them too.”
She also has two pieces in this show created for a fictional magazine called They Are All Idiots. It’s meant to be an alternative universe magazine, set in the same dystopian world that other characters live in.
“I’d also like to thank the Bahrain Trust Foundation for taking care of public spaces that benefit everyone in the community,” said Lujane. “Finally, I’m so grateful to the art group that keeps me motivated and inspired to create.”
The other artists exhibiting their works include Isa Esam, Isa Mansoor Saleh, Sara Sadiq Abbas, Mustafa Aljad, Amro Elsayed Fathelbab and Maryam Ali Al Bin Ali.
Bahraini Isa Esam, 26, has created three different artworks.
“My main piece is a 2.4X1.5m mixed media canvas piece, titled River of Dreams, incorporating acrylic line-work and crystal embellishments,” said Isa Esam, a Bahraini graduate from the Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester School of Art. “I spent almost two months creating the piece (a large mixed media canvas creation). I accompanied the piece with an original poem that I had written and was happy to read at the show.”
His other two pieces are artworks created using brush-pens on traditional Bahraini pottery.
“As an artist, you always come back to the nucleus of your artistic intention, which is to touch people in some way through your work,” he added. “My pieces are an ode to womanhood and the rite of passage one must take across rivers of uncertainty.”
He hopes the show will encourage young Bahraini artists to share their work too. “There is so much talent in our country that is waiting to be seen, and there are so many riveting and touching stories that are waiting to be heard,” said Isa Esam. “Bringing our show to life has been an eye-opening journey full of determination and hard work.
“I am proud of all of us. If this could serve as a sign for you to take that brave first step as an artist, then let it be so.”
Bahraini Maryam, 25, exhibited two large canvases coloured with Posca paint markers and four smaller ink drawings on paper. Her favourite piece is called Risk Taking.
“The idea behind the piece is that at some point in life, everybody faces the door of risk where they have to choose to open it or stay in their comfort zone,” said Maryam, whose signature style is surreal art produced with black ink on heavy paper. “This piece displays what happens when the door is opened and while the scene is horrifying, the risk remains a necessary part of life.
“Art is such a beautiful form of expression. Not only does it help me through tough times, but it also helps me understand myself better. I always try to raise awareness about mental health through art, and I encourage everyone to use it as a way to cope with stress and adversity.”
Architecture engineer Isa, known in the graffiti community as Elsees, shared four artworks in mixed media of spray paint and acrylics.
“My goal is to affect people and move their emotions and I’m not doing anything different than that in this exhibition,” said Elsees, 25, from East Riffa. “I have tried to showcase the balance and the contrast in society in terms of intelligence through different perspectives and imagery.”
For details, follow @isaillustrations, @elsees.art3, @miisty_art, @meemscribbles, @lu_draws11, @sunny.limeade and @arkoneden.art on Instagram.
