Twilight in Manama

Men seem to like my work,” says Jessica Watson-Thorp, an artist from Australia who has made Bahrain her home for the last four years.

“Possibly my masculinity comes out in my art,” she ponders.
Jessica’s works on display have everything that represents the yin more than the yan and is probably the key to why men like her work, writes Anasuya Kesavan.
It’s full of colour, texture, and depth that reflects the impressions and emotions of the places she’s been inspired by. And it’s no wonder that she has international corporate clients from New York to Saudi Arabia and New Zealand to South Africa.
Jessica’s latest collection, Twilight in Manama, is on show and has been inspired by the days she’s spent in Bahrain.
Shapes, colours, views and lights pour out of the canvas she’s created in her studio in Adliya. The displayed works reflect her impressions of the cultural landscape she’s clearly enjoyed being a part of. The sands and seas of Bahrain, abstract mosque impressions, sunset colours, geometric abstractions all hold the viewer’s gaze.
While she describes some of her works as ‘far away over the nature’ others are a peep through the window into the heart of the community of Bahrain.
“I love this country for its warmth. It’s a safe and nice place to live in, easy and pleasing to the eye and that’s what comes out in my work,” says Jessica.
Using very high quality material, several styles get reflected in Jessica’s work, which she calls semi-abstract. She loves developing textures in her work by scratching on to the paint surface and creating a sculptural feel on the canvas. Bahrain’s influence includes her signature gold splash across her paintings – a colour she began using in Bahrain.
Twilight in Manama is on view at Lina’s Café, Wind Tower, Diplomatic Area until June 30. For a virtual view of her work log on to www.watsonthorp.com  The best time to visit is in the evening, after 5pm, when parking is available and you can enjoy the paintings over delicious coffee and pastries from the café.