A visual memoir of times gone by

The exhibition, entitled Echoes of Heritage, will be inaugurated today at 6.30pm by renowned Bahraini artist Abbas Al Mosawi, at Bahrain Artistic Frames located in Budaiya.
Curated by artist, metal sculptor and author Sudeep Deshpande, the concept illustrates that heritage is not static – it reverberates like an ‘echo’, carrying the voices of our ancestors into the present and shaping the future. 
Heritage lives on through language, rituals, music, and art across generations, reminding communities of their roots.
According to Sudeep, the theme ‘Echoes of Heritage’ evokes the idea that the past speaks to us, influencing how we live today; a memoir of times gone by that has sketched a visual of days to come. 
“The concept provided me with a platform to express my admiration of the simplicity of this ‘land of pearls’ – Bahrain,” the Indian expatriate from Adliya told GulfWeekly. 
“My pieces use watercolour and ink on paper. In visual art or architecture, ‘echoes of heritage’ symbolises motifs that repeat across eras, like ancient patterns reappearing in modern design or folk melodies woven into contemporary music,” added the 44-year-old.
Elaborating on his experience of the kingdom’s heritage, the creative talent recounted how old streets take him back to the times when wooden doors opened onto narrow alleyways, the fragrance of oud courting the senses of the passers-by.
“My works reflect my perspective of old narrow lanes in Bahrain. An old street on brown paper inked and painted in monochrome shades of black and white. The lines of perspective are projected out of this brown frame, painted in grey with red and the element of sky.”
The exhibition is being showcased under the banner of Bahrain Art Collectives, a group of and for local artists. Sudeep launched the platform five years ago. Since then, he has been organising and curating art exhibitions, live art sessions, art talks and workshops. 
The latest display is designed to ‘bring back the times gone by’, with each artist illustrating distinct interpretations of the theme.

Bahraini creative Thamer Al Reefi will showcase works of nature, inspired by landscapes from his memory and imagination, using acrylics on canvas. He treats the colours to get the effect of oil paints, which emphasises the nuanced lights and shadows in his pieces. 
“One of my works reflects the famous walkway in Karzakan forest, and the other is about a sunset I witnessed in Sweden – I call it ‘Angry sunset’ for the size of emotions it contained,” added the retired IT professional from Saar.
Thamer recently turned 69 but has loved expressing himself through art since he was a child.
“I stopped for many years until I retired three years ago, when I started painting heavily and fast to reclaim a life time of missing art.”

While artists like Thamer are rekindling their passion for painting at a ripe age, many others are busy lighting the spark in a new generation of creatives. 
Among them is educator Nitasha Biju from Hoora, who teaches art and design at Multinational School. The 49-year-old has a Masters in Fine Arts from Indira Gandhi National Open University in Delhi.
“I will be exhibiting two artworks entitled Timeless Arrangement, which focuses on a young girl peacefully arranging flowers in her cosy little shop. I based the entire artwork on Oriental patterns and colours as I feel they are fascinating and have a certain flow and intricacy to them.
“Echoes in Every Stitch is broadly based on the art of quilt-making and how this heritage form runs through generations of memories and love. It shows an older woman sewing a colourful, patterned quilt that reflects her deep traditions and cultural roots. I lean towards detailing in my works and here the quilt designs take front stage with a variety of colour combinations that build the composition and colour scheme,” added the resident of 19 years, who won first place in the adult category at SPECTRA art competition last year.
The creatives will be participating alongside 14 other talented powerhouses and their works will be available for viewing at the gallery until May 7.