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Bahraini artist and sculptor Jamal Rahim has captured on canvas a number of significant charismatic showbiz characters of the stage and big screen as well as regional celebrities.
He says the legends influenced him as he grew up in Bahrain and helped him to also appreciate the richness of Arab civilisation, mythology, religion and language.
His most-recent exhibition, ‘Sketch Book’ held at the Bahrain Arts Centre was a real blast from the past. It featured an amalgamation of characters including Hollywood cinema icons Marlon Brando and Marilyn Monroe as well as Arab singing star Umm Kolthoum.
Jamal, 46, said: “I wanted to go back to the basics of painting and step aside from abstract art which I had been drawn into. I grew up watching and listening to these renowned personalities and capturing them on canvas brought back very fond memories of my childhood.”
He recently launched a book entitled Om Kolthoum which included portraits of the singer in oil, acrylic, pencil, print and in sculpture form that he has been working on for five years.
“I grew up listening to her songs and I still do,” he explained. “She was a legend and this was my tribute to her.”
The book features 176 pages of his artwork featuring the songstress as well as three articles written by Bahraini writer Fareed Ramadan, Iraqi artist and writer Nasir Mounes and Kuwaiti poet Mohammed Al-Nabhan.
On the sidelines of his recent display, the artist also showcased 14 sculptures of different subjects in various stone including marble, onyx, jade and bronze.
Jamal, born in Muharraq where he currently lives with his wife, entered the colourful world of art in 1984 following four years of study in India to attain a diploma in engineering drawing.
He said: “I’ve always been fascinated by the sea, growing up next to it. I learned the philosophy of fishing and the patience required. Seeing the light shimmering on the surface of the water, the sun set and all the colourful scenes of nature surrounding helped enrich my imagination and observation skills.
“I love to delve into matters that challenge me. An artist is just a child but art can turn him into a warrior.”
Initially, he started painting as a hobby and was urged by friends to exhibit his work with others at the Al Hala Club in 1987. Artist Ibrahim Busaad took notice of his talent and urged him to consider taking up art more seriously and under his guidance Jamal soon learned new techniques in drawing, anatomy and perspective, sketching and painting.
Jamal also got the opportunity to learn the techniques of etching and printing under renowned artist A. Jabbar Ghadban, which eventually led way to his first solo exhibition in February, 1990.
He has since held 14 solo exhibitions and had his work displayed at numerous Arab and international shows. He has won 13 accolades and made 30 handmade books and artistic collections.
His latest artistic handmade book ‘Sketch Book’, contains 10 graphic works of art signed and numbered. Another new art book entitled Roba’eyat Al Khayyam was made as a tribute to the late Bahraini poet Ibrahim Al Orayed and featured 12 handmade prints using different techniques.
