A passion for creativity

Bahraini banker Rasha Al Sabt crunches numbers by day but by night, she indulges her artistic flair and creates acclaimed imagery on canvas.

Although Bahrain is small in size, Rasha believes that there is a large amount of artistic talent on the island and hopes that the kingdom can eventually play an important role in the international art scene.

She said: “There are many talented artists here who do not receive enough exposure beyond the kingdom. I want to be able to travel and take my art across the globe and help show the world the amount of creativity we have here.”

For the past three years Rasha, 27, has worked as a manager at Bmi. However, long before she learnt about the world of finance, she enjoyed expressing herself through art.

From an early age the former Al Raja School student, from Isa Town, has been participating in various competitions and exhibitions, diplaying her prowess.

She said: “When I was six, I started to draw by copying or imitating a picture. I also did paintings with social messages as well as portraits of well-known personalities. On my 13th birthday, my parents gave me an easel which I proudly placed in my room and which I use, even to this day!”

After secondary school Rasha travelled to Leeds, UK, to pursue her Bachelor’s degree in multimedia. It was there that her artistic prowess was reignited. She said: “I was highly inspired by the greenery at the Hyde Park in London. It attracted me and I began drawing, focusing on nature.”

Upon completing the course she returned to the island to enrol for her Master’s degree in business administration from NYIT Bahrain.

Although art has always been a big part of her life, Rasha never considered pursuing a degree in the subject as she believed her paintings were simply a way to express herself.

She said: “I believe I am not too traditional in my way of thinking and my active behaviour. I am unpredictable and ambitious and my art is my outlet for that.”

Rasha held her first exhibition during the Market 338 exhibition which was held earlier this year. The event gained her immense praise and drew interest from Madan Chinathambi, floor supervisor at Jim’s Restaurant, who approached her to showcase her work in the outlet’s lounge.

She said: “The exhibition provided good exposure for me and I received several positive remarks. I was also very pleased to showcase my work at Jim’s.”

Her second public showcase was held at the Alba Club in Riffa where she was one of several artists to participate in the First Bahraini Female Artists Exhibition in May. Her collection was called ‘A Woman’s Story’ and featured an expressive series focusing on women with no facial features.

She was also selected by the Economic Development Board as one of 10 most talented artists through its Bahraini Youth Talent programme last March.

Rasha is now keen on expanding her expertise and knowledge and hopes to learn the techniques of Arabic calligraphy. She said: “I will be making an abstract painting using calligraphy and based on the theme of Islam and religion.”
In the future, Rasha hopes to open her own gallery where she can showcase the work of local artists.