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The full spectrum of emotions and the human condition experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic have been explored in photographs, sculptures and canvas at a recently-opened art exhibition.
The Great Lockdown Exhibition is being held at the Bin Matar House located on Muharraq’s historic Pearling Path until the end of January 2021.
“The pandemic, affecting the whole world at the same time has brought us together, unhappily, in a simultaneously shared, global experience of uncertainty, lockdowns, social isolation, illness and even death,” said Melissa Enders-Bhatia, curator of the exhibition and director of art and exhibitions programming at the Shaikh Ebrahim Centre for Culture and Research.
“Artists have met the situation variously. Some have used the opportunity to study and further their knowledge of theory and practice. Some have been active in their studios and isolation.
“In curating, I have tried to avoid looking for obvious patterns of artistic production in this period in favour of organising with a light hand and an eye on finding echoes and resonances within a group of over 80 artworks from 40-plus artists.”
The exhibition is divided into four sections – abstract art, photography, sculpture and a medley of mixed media.
Upon entering, a visitor is greeted by a foyer of figures and sculptures. Heroes by Ghada Al Khuzaei pays homage to the health workers who put themselves on the line every day.
Contrastingly, Jamal Al Yousif’s Attachments stainless steel and hand-sculpted glass structure explores how a victim of trauma may perceive the changing nature of guidelines and the message of ‘staying calm’.
“My work tries to highlight the effects of media on people who suffer from anxiety clinically and how it may affect their condition adversely,” Jamal told GulfWeekly.
“As public health officers firmly state, frequently in soaring vocal tones at press conferences, with a harsh cadence to ‘stay calm’ this sends a mixed message to trauma survivors everywhere.
“I personally know a person who has suffered because of this effect and it got me thinking of others who suffer similarly during Covid-19,” he added.
Venturing off to the left, the abstract artists explore the emotional state and our connection with nature during what have become popularly known as the ‘new normal’ times.
Areej Rajab uses colour and the circular shape of her pieces, collectively called Nature’s Weave to depict the ‘natural beauty of flowers, their vibrant colours and the miracle of light’.
“My piece is intended to symbolise not only how much stronger we are when we are connected, but also how vulnerable we become when separated from one another,” the celebrated artist added.
Meanwhile, Noor Al Sairafi’s piece explores the transformation people have been experiencing during the lockdown in an embryonic exploration of a butterfly’s life, expressed in two large vibrant paintings.
“Across civilisations, traditions and spirituality, butterflies are a representation of change and metamorphosis,” she explained.
“The butterfly emerges from its cocoon only when the conditions are right; so will our true potential self only flourish when the time is right.”
Time is further explored in a separate room set aside for most of the photographs that are part of this exhibition.
Documentary and fine art photographer Dr Hesham Al-Ammal uses analogue photography to capture life in Muharraq during lockdown, centring on the ‘sitting step’, at the heart of the old Muharraq Souq.
Hesham teaches and researches algorithms, computer security and machine learning as an assistant professor at Bahrain University’s College of Information Technology.
However, in encompassing the essence of the Muharraq’s tradition, he has gone ‘old school’, using film to reflect a more authentic sense of his subject.
“I have discovered a new world that captured great tones and also had an authentic feeling from the past,” the photographer told us.
“During the lockdown, I was just starting to develop my negatives at home and after getting the materials, I had a lot of free time to develop and capture analogue images.
“I also discovered that with 12 medium-format photos and without a screen to see what you captured, the process becomes very slow and contemplative, and I usually get better pictures than when I shoot 100 digital photos.”
Emerging from the hall of photography, one can explore a selection of more work, including Zain Zuhair’s Thinking, which embodies the ruminations she did during the pandemic.
Zuhair Al Qudaihi uses oil on canvas to convey the mental and emotional state of many of the health workers during the pandemic.
And Ali Hussain Mirza uses the same medium to explore the most universal of human languages – body language.
Each artist and photographer’s collection is unique and well-curated, reflecting a unique slice, thought and feeling that form the collective spectrum of pandemic experiences on the island.
