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The Covid-19 pandemic may have proven to be a treasure trove of time and creation for many artists but public ‘in-person’ exhibitions have been slowly becoming an artefact of yesteryear. A new exhibition at Bahrain Bay hopes to change that.
Discovered, at The Art Space, showcases the works of 26 up-and-coming artists from four countries, many of whom have never exhibited in a gallery before.
Curated by Bahraini art connoisseur Nada Alaradi who worked with Esra Faraj, founder of The Art Space, Discovered first opened during the last weekend of Ramadan, but thanks to an overwhelming positive response, it has been extended for socially-distanced public viewing, following health protocols, until mid-June.
“For more than a year, the public art scene, like many other industries, has reduced significantly,” Nada told GulfWeekly. “Larger events have been cancelled so we wanted to have a smaller event that would be just as interesting for audiences.
“We suggested an affordable art event that could have multiple components. That idea became the Mini Art Fair. Having a market component with the exhibition gave more opportunities for creatives to show their work and audiences to interact with them directly.”
Although the Discovered art exhibition continues, the art fair only took place during the opening weekend.
Art lovers can drop by on the weekends and enjoy pieces by artists including Rabab Al-alwy, Gary Manalo, Spandana Bandari and Nidhin MC, amongst others.
A variety of disciplines including portraiture, abstract art, fine art, photography and art installation have been explored, with something for everyone’s tastes.
Mona Nema took inspiration from the culinary changes in people’s diets during the pandemic to paint large-scale extravagant oil paintings depicting nostalgic snacks that have been increasingly consumed in the last year.
“Comfort food consumption has risen during the pandemic,” she added. “In times of uncertainty and stress, many people seek solace in food.
“During this last year, it was cooking, sharing and reviving old childhood classic snacks that have brought small joys into our lives as we stayed at home. It was those moments where we were able to create memories with our loved ones.
“I found myself reverting to childhood favourites such as pop tarts and marshmallows during the pandemic because it brought me a sense of familiarity and emotional comfort.
“This theme is what inspired my collection, called Comfort Art. The delicacies painted in this collection are aimed to stir physiological feelings and impulses such as feelings of happiness, comfort, nostalgia and a yearning for instant gratification.
“During this second year of the pandemic where things are finally beginning to go back to normal again, I have been fuelled creatively by re-discovering the joy in the mundane things I used to do daily without much appreciation or thought. I suddenly find those routines more magical.
“I can finally have my coffee in my neighbourhood café and truly savour it in a glass cup, not a to-go paper cup, while sitting down around the same familiar faces I’ve grown used to seeing each week for years.”
Neda Jahrami decided to go in the opposite direction, miniaturising famous paintings with her own unique piercing twist exploring famous portraits by getting under the skin of these iconic muses.
Neda, whose Ghosts of Portraits Past series has previously been featured in GulfWeekly, turned her series into a full installation.
“I exhibited this series in the Discovered exhibition to tell a story and have the viewers interpret it in their own ways, which is why I turned the pieces into one full installation instead of exhibiting them individually,” the 25-year-old explained.
“It has been difficult to find that creative fuel during this pandemic, but seeing the initiatives art galleries are making to keep the creativity flowing by hosting unique events and exhibitions have been motivating me to continue working on my pieces.”
Green-shield-holding Covid-19-vaccinated and Covid-19-recovered art appreciators are currently being welcomed at the exhibition, which is open on the weekends from 4pm to 8pm.
“Covid-19 has rapidly changed the way that everyone will conduct business this year,” Esra added. “Artists are learning to adapt to a’“new normal’ as regular art fairs, exhibitions and workshops are put on hold.
“While many of us are experiencing a level of loss from delayed workshops, and cancelled openings, we are also planning alternative ways to innovate and move our and artists’ careers online.”
For details, follow @artspace.bh on Instagram.
