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Painters, sketchers and photographers from across the kingdom have been combining their love of nature and creativity by participating in Dr Anamica Bhattacharya’s colourful challenge.
The 35-year-old freelance educator and artist launched her ‘Bahrain to India: Celebrating nature through art across the miles’ around the end of October to coincide with the international Big Draw initiative.
The Big Draw, which features events held around the world, was founded in the UK in 2000 as an arts education charity that promotes visual literacy and the universal language of drawing as a tool for learning, expression and invention.
This year’s ‘The Big Green Draw: A Climate of Change’ aims to promote how drawing is a global language that cuts across all barriers of culture, race and identity, with an emphasis on the environment... which is what Anamica hopes to achieve through her challenge as well.
“The theme of The Big Green Draw relates to my soul and being a nature lover, it gives me an opportunity to actively get involved as well as do my bit to connect people with nature,” said Anamica, from Umm Al Hassam.
“With Bahrain being where I live and India being where I’m originally from, I decided to create a challenge where I can connect participants of different nations with nature through art.”
She set up the initiative in phases, starting with workshops, demonstrations and talks before moving onto the art challenge and exhibition portion, which will be on display until the end of this month.
More than 30 participants have already sent in their drawings, paintings, sketches, photographs and upcycled crafts that feature an environmental or green twist.
These artworks are being exhibited on Anamica’s Facebook page ‘Bahrain-India: Art across the miles’ for visitors to appreciate. She has received artworks from Bahrain, India and the US.
People of all ages are being encouraged to join the festival fun of creating an artistic piece whilst thinking green. Any mediums and form of artistry can be used.
She added: “Participants can use anything they want, in any way and in any form, as long as it’s connected to nature. Aside from drawing, sketching, snapping pictures or painting, people can also stitch or create a poster or banner that boasts a strong message about protecting the environment and Mother Earth.
“I hope my challenge raises awareness, especially amongst the little ones, about their responsibilities towards Mother Nature.”
Her virtual, creative workshops and arts and craft demonstrations featured the likes of watercolour expert Anil Sharma and artist/interior designer Mohamed Taha. She also received support from Dr Sarah Clarke, author of the popular Baloo’s books based on her chocolate brown Labrador and founder of Baloo’s Buddies.
There was a workshop on watercolours, on acrylics as well as on recycled and upcycled crafts. There was even a symposium on terrariums, a talk on environmental degradation and how to recycle plastic waste into plant pots.
“I organised different events via Zoom to help people lead an eco-conscious and environmentally-friendly life ahead,” said Anamica.
“I want to provide others with the chance to learn, to share, to express, to exchange and to enhance their love and care for nature. Also, those who attended the workshops, can use the techniques they learn to create their pieces.
“Other artists and creative personalities who supported me in this initiative include S Porwal, S Saha, I Das and S Chowdhury from India and V Bodani from Bahrain respectively.”
People can send their artworks by emailing pictures of their pieces to nature.thebigdraw@gmail.com or can post it on their Facebook using the hashtags #Artacrossthemiles #Thebigdraw2020 #Climateofchange. All entrants will receive participation certificates from The Big Draw, London.
For further details on the challenge or upcoming free workshops, contact 34136058 to get all information.
