Sketching stories

Artist group Urban Sketchers Bahrain is set to meet up tomorrow as they continue to bring alive Bahrain’s diverse landscape, in keeping with their goal to strengthen the kingdom’s art movement and put it on the global map.

The local non-profit platform, which is part of the worldwide Urban Sketchers (USk) movement, was set up last year and has since brought together enthusiasts of all skill levels to sketch every Friday. What started with just three or four people has grown into a close-knit ‘family’ of around 50.

“Most artists in Bahrain are used to drawing from imagination or bringing alive photographs of what they might have captured previously. We hope to bring them out into the open and introduce a new format of drawing based on observation,” co-founder Sadeq Al Shehabi, who manages the group’s operations, told GulfWeekly.

An urban sketch is a drawing created on location – indoors or outdoors – capturing what the sketcher sees from direct observation. The essence of the style lies in its on-the-spot, agile nature.

Some of the iconic locations covered include Bab Al Bahrain, Suq Al Baraha in Muharraq, Bahrain-and Arad forts, Grand Mosque on Al Fateh Highway, as well as indoor spots like The Avenues mall and the nostalgia-inducing Adliya branch of Hole’n One – Bahrain’s first homegrown donut chain. 

“We announce the location in advance and all are welcome. We just get together with our own art supplies and sketch,” founder and self-taught artist Ahmed Ali Alshakhoori, who has been into art and sketching for more than 45 years, said.

“You have to tell a story. For instance, if you draw a person, it is a portrait, but if you draw the person sitting at a table with flowers on the table… it weaves a story,” the airline industry professional, who manages the artistic side of things for the group, added.

The Bahrain Contemporary Art Association member from Malkiya chanced upon a video about urban sketching in 2012. Last year, he discussed it with his long-time friend Sadeq, who, upon research, realised there was no Bahrain chapter to the global platform and suggested they start one.

The global Urban Sketchers was formed in 2007 by Seattle-based journalist and illustrator Gabriel Campanario, with a mission to raise the artistic, storytelling and educational value of on-location drawing, connecting people worldwide.

“What we are trying to do here is shine a spotlight on Bahraini heritage. The world should know about Bahrain and our culture and urban treasures,” said Sadeq, a photographer and entrepreneur from Diraz.

“We are thrilled to share that we have officially signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bahrain Society of Engineers, and will be organising joint activities with them in the future.

“There’s a lot of planning that goes into each session, with due permissions to be taken, especially if it’s an indoor location. We will have more indoor locations now that the weather is getting warmer,” Sadeq added.

Zahra Ateya Ali, who volunteers as an administrator with USk Bahrain, noted that they select locations to inspire artists’ creativity.

“I enjoy highlighting the variety of styles produced by each artist, and make sure that our community is welcoming to all ages,” the 29-year-old public relations specialist added.

According to Ahmed, two weeks ago, there were fans who drove from Saudi Arabia to attend the session.

While each meeting runs for a couple of hours, Ahmed encourages attendees to complete their sketches in a maximum of 15 minutes, in keeping with the ‘spontaneous’ nature of the art form, and to document their work. After that, everyone is free to continue drawing or socialising.

The upcoming session will be staged at Baku Cafe in Hamala Hills mall.
Follow @uskbahrain for more information on their sessions.