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Art lovers in the kingdom will be coming together to celebrate the talents of nine Bahraini artists whose works will be on display at Artlounge 2 organised by Marion Labani at Banyan Tree Al Areen later this month.
Reporter Anasuya Kesavan unveils the second of a three-part series showcasing sculptor Ali Al Mahmeed, painter Kareema Taha and photographer Khalil Hammad.
Artlounge 2 runs from October 23 till November 1 and will also feature the works of painters Balqees Fakhro, Faika Al Hasan, Lobna Al Ameen and Nabeela Al Khair, photographer Ali Al Koofy and sculptor Fuad Albinfalah.
A percentage of the profits from the event, sponsored by Banyan Tree Al Areen and Ogilvy One, will be donated to Sneha recreation centre for children with special needs for the purchase of art supplies.
Ali Al Mahmeed - sculptor
One of the most admired sculptors of the kingdom, Ali Al Mahmeed's carvings grace royal palaces and the national museum in Bahrain and are found in private collections in Kuwait, London, Beirut, Dubai, Finland and Saudi Arabia.
At Artlounge 2 he is showing works made of marble in different colours sourced from various parts of the world. In a range of forms, favourite being a bird, he shows two conjoined figures fusing together in diverse relationships.
He said: "I am talking about love, meeting and togetherness with people, brothers, friends ... as an artist I am generally trying to portray a deeper meaning. The viewer is open to interpretation. Some see it just as a beautiful shape and others see the relevance of the image in a larger context.
"I like the shape of the Arabic letter and I enjoy using calligraphy as a design. Travels always bring learning. A symposium where artists come together to work and share their art is like a school and is very important for every artist to develop his skill. They get to share cultures, styles, methods and also get to know each other."
Mr Al Mahmeed, 63, from Muharraq, is currently busy organising the Muharraq Symposium 2008 where 10 artists from the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Syria and Bahrain will come together to produce marble sculptures, three metres or more high, which will find their home in the kingdom.
Kareema Taha - painter
Egyptian-born artist Kareema Taha made Bahrain her home 25 years ago. Influenced by people, places, thoughts, ideas and events she produces highly-emotive and striking portraits of women in different circumstances.
Full of expression Kareema's canvases narrate unhappiness within. Appealing eyes overflowing with feelings of sadness, loneliness and desire silently scream out their distress which strangely attracts you with the simplicity of the emotions.
Not shy of portraying the female form, Kareema is liberal with her use of colours and is modern in her approach. A devout Muslim and compulsive painter, she said: "I am a woman who likes to express myself. I believe in freedom and respect others opinion. I do what I see is right and am generally clear in my opinions.
"I don't plan my paintings ... I realise my picture as I work. I am an extrovert who likes good music, books and films and everything influences my work. I do not paint because my painting has to sell. I paint because I enjoy my work and it gives me happiness."
An artist who uses a variety of mediums in her work, Kareema explained: "I love collage. It makes me active with my painting. Sometimes I use photographs or a piece of textile to reflect what I have to say. We all are different from one moment to another and in every painting you see a different person."
Kareema lives in Riffa and teaches art to young children at Naseem International School. She will be showing several of her new pieces at Artlounge 2.
Khalil Hammad - photographer
AN electrical engineer with Batelco, Khalil Hammad's love affair with the camera began at the age of 14.
Growing up in Naim village, which in the 1960s was strategically located between the sea and the market, Khalil was fascinated by his Agfa camera which could capture the buzzing life around him. He said: "In the sea there were the fishermen and their boats, in the market there were traders and several craftsmen including blacksmiths and boat makers. I just had to take their pictures.
"My father was not happy with me because buying cameras was difficult and processing pictures was expensive. Colour photographs could only be processed in London."
Undeterred, Khalil continued to practise his art till he got a formal training at the Bahrain Art Centre from the late Dr Ahmed Baqer. Today he specialises in taking portraits and likes to work with a candid camera.
Describing his work, he said: "When I switched to digital camera it was as if a new chapter had started. It was a completely new world. I felt like an artist as I could work on the computer and make a photograph look like art.
"At Artlounge2 I will be showing around 20 of my photographs. They will be both the original shots alongside the changed ones. They are a mixture of subjects of children and old people celebrating during Eid and Muharram.
"I like to discuss my work with photographer Ali Al Koofy and artist Abbas Al Mousawi who can judge a work well."
Mr Hammad, 57, will take early retirement this year to concentrate on his photography. He plans to travel to Yemen, Sri Lanka and India to follow his life-long dream. He has earlier taken part in solo and group exhibitions in Prato in Italy, Budapest in Hungary, Chendo in China and Zilina in Slovakia and is the president of the photographers' club in the kingdom.
