Bahrain’s heritage, its connection to the sea and the strength of its women have inspired emerging Bahraini artist Lulwa Al Hayki to create a series of paintings exploring identity through colour, music and traditional dress.
At just 17, Lulwa’s works have been showcased in Bahrain and Greece, with three of her recent pieces being exhibited during the Almasyaf and A Painting of Gold exhibitions in Manama and Janabiyah, respectively.
Among them was Luster of Gold, Magic of Pearls, a work inspired by Bahrain’s long-standing relationship with gold, pearls and the sea. 
It centres a woman as the bearer of heritage, dressed in a red ‘Thob Al Nashal’ decorated with intricate golden embroidery. 
Around her are pearls, fish and bubbles, with a large shell rising behind her like a halo. 
“The shell, pearls, fish and bubbles surrounding her evoke the kingdom’s connection to the sea and its pearl-diving history,” Lulwa told GulfWeekly.
A Thob Al Nashal is a traditional, highly ornate, and sheer over-garment worn by women in the kingdom and across the Gulf region for festive and ceremonial occasions.
Through the shell, Lulwa depicts an imagined world around the woman, allowing the painting to move beyond reality while remaining rooted in the memory of Bahrain and its traditions.
“Gold becomes more than just a colour - it symbolises value, femininity and heritage passed down from one generation to another, while the pearls represent the magic of the sea and the enduring memory of Bahrain,” she explained.
Her two other pieces approach identity from different perspectives, blending influences from pop culture, Arab heritage and her own imagination. 
Kallos (Greek word meaning beauty in both its physical and spiritual forms) was inspired by the calm and poetic atmosphere of singer Lana Del Rey’s music. 
Rather than simply portraying the singer, Lulwa reimagined her through an Arab cultural lens, depicting her wearing a head covering based on the Abaya Al Ras, a traditional Bahraini garment. “The painting also features blue - a colour inspired by the ancient Babylonian civilisation - which has become a recurring element in my work,” she said.
In Babylonian civilisation, blue symbolised divine authority, imperial power and immense wealth, most famously seen on the Ishtar Gate, the eighth fortified entrance to the inner city of ancient Babylon, built around 575 BCE. 
The deep blue glaze used on Babylonian architecture was intended to mimic lapis lazuli, a rare and highly revered semi-precious stone imported from modern-day Afghanistan.
Her third painting Omorfia also takes its name from the Greek word for beauty. This time, she explores beauty through the idea of inner strength rather than appearance. 
“The painting portrays an Arab woman as a symbol of quiet strength, with a blue tie around her neck representing independence, leadership and the choice between speaking and embracing silence,” Lulwa said.  “Like the sea, she appears calm on the surface, yet deep within.” 
She described the work as a celebration of both Arab women and Bahraini identity - themes that have become central to her artistic style.
Both of her works, Kallos and Omorfia were presented during the Almasyaf exhibition, held in collaboration with the Arts Centre and Bahrain Fine Arts Society. 
Her connection to art began when she was just four, encouraged by a family that supported and nurtured her passion. 
“I inherited my artistic inclinations from my grandfather, who was also passionate about painting and devoted time to developing my talent,” she added.
Lulwa has also taken her art beyond Bahrain, recently participating in an exhibition in Greece, as a finalist at the International Youth Festival ‘The Planet of Art 2026’, organised in collaboration with UNESCO.
For more details, follow @lulwaart09 on Instagram.