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The great ‘Yalla Bahrain!’ painting extravaganza is beginning to light up the kingdom as artists unite to turn Abbas Al Mosawi’s inspired community masterpiece into reality, writes Stan Szecowka.
And no-one is more excited than his son Ali Almosawi who couldn’t contain his excitement: “I got to paint a Ferrari which is great because I love to paint cars anyway!”
The 13-year-old was among those drawn to the Bahrain Arts Society’s base off the Budaiya Highway, the project’s first session, and the session proved an inspirational success as Bahrain’s internationally-renowned artist and his team of young artists started a tour of the country, guiding the many groups as they create their individual masterpieces.
The ‘F1 in Colour’ event will see 96 individual canvases depicting scenes from Formula One and the country being painted by a cross-section of the community, including schools, universities, businesses and government departments. “We will guide the artists to ensure that the final montage fits,” said Abbas. “Nonetheless, I want the people of Bahrain to be able to express their own individuality, to bring their life and vision to this work.
“The Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix means so much to so many people, and it is how the kingdom has become recognized across the world. In order to capture just how special it is to our people, it is essential that they are free to depict it in their own style. I feel then the final piece will then truly be a Bahraini masterpiece full of life and personality.”
The twist in this creative tale will come on March 15, when the completed canvasses will be assembled to form a giant collage measuring 10 metres by 15 metres in celebration of Bahrain and its role as the home of motorsport in the Middle East.
This extraordinary piece of all-Bahraini artwork will be unveiled at the Al Aali Shopping Complex, where it will become the centrepiece of the Ithmaar Group Yalla Bahrain! F1 Zone, an interactive experience of life in the most glamorous sport in the world, which will take place at Al Aali from March 16-24.
Events will continue throughout the build-up to the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix on April 13-15.
