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Cats are emerging as the ‘meow’se of choice, inspiring many artists in Bahrain and posing the question: why do felines continue to claw their way into our paintings, literature and culture, coinciding with International Cat Day tomorrow.
Whether it is Lewis Carol’s Alice in Wonderland (1865), Japanese author Syou Ishida’s We’ll Prescribe You a Cat (2024), French Art Nouveau painter Théophile Steinlen’s iconic Le Chat Noir (the black cat) poster (1896), or Freddie Mercury’s musical tribute Delilah (1991) to his favourite namesake companion, cats have been an integral part of the art that we have been consuming for centuries.
Even in Bahraini culture, these critters often appear in old tales, according to comic artist and illustrator from Muharraq Zainab Almahdi.
“Cats often appear in Bahraini and regional folklore as vessels for jinn and other spirits,” the 27-year-old told GulfWeekly.
“In my art, cats feature either as the main subjects, or I hide them in different parts of my work,” added the creative talent, who draws both regular and anthropomorphic cats.
“They are flexible, animated and silly, lend themselves to cartoon illustration, and automatically bring a sense of whimsy to any art piece. You can use cats to reframe ordinary scenes in art. For example, if I dress up a cat in traditional dress, suddenly the readers start paying attention to the piece, and, in turn, the message I am trying to convey,” explained the GDN reporter.
Filipino expatriate and artist Heidee Gragas-Galas from Juffair enjoys bringing cats alive in her creations because they’re ‘cute’ and they carry a ‘soft, graceful elegance’ that she believes reflects a ‘feminine, calming energy’.
“Cats have a soft, quiet presence that feels delicate but confident, which pairs beautifully with florals in my work,” said Heidee.
Growing up, the 33-year-old had a cat at home, which helped her develop a personal connection with the animal, naturally influencing her work.
“I remember stories from my elders saying cats can sense spirits or bring luck depending on their colour,” Heidee said. “In art and books, they often show up as symbols of independence, grace or even magic. That mix of the real and the mythical fascinates me and makes them timeless subjects to paint,” she added.
Renowned Bahraini artist Ebrahim Busaad’s popular Sleeping Cats exhibition in 2016 struck a chord with both art and feline enthusiasts at the time.
The striking pieces, including Rajul Al Qut (‘the cat man’), Murdi’at Al Shar (‘nurser of evil’) and Al Hilm Al Azraq (‘the blue dream’) continue to wow fans even today, with many vocalising their applause on the artist’s Instagram posts.
In the collection, the founding member of the Bahrain Art Society brought alive the ‘infidel’ nature of the cat, using his distinct style of elegant lines and vibrant hues. The works also reflect the architectural elements and the decorative motifs that characterised the city of Muharraq, his hometown.
The Sleeping Cats paintings are based on a recurring dream Ebrahim had about his cat.
“At the age of six, my grandmother gifted me a cat. For the first time, I had a companion,” the 71-year-old revealed – a sentiment that famous novelist and cat lover Charles Dickens shared, when he said, ‘What greater gift than the love of a cat?’
