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Artists and creatives across the island are looking forward to the revitalisation of the local art scene post-pandemic, as they meet at a collaborative event this coming weekend.
The ‘Express Yourself Art Fair’ will take place at El Mercado Mall in Janabiya, on Friday and Saturday and will showcase the work created by 21 local artists.
“The goal with this art fair is to encourage people to support local artists,” organiser Hussain Darwesh told GulfWeekly. “We also want to expand the perception of what art can be – we have everyone from sketchers, painters and jewellery creators to cupcake artists, leather workers and even someone making scented candles.
“Anything these artists create as a creative outlet qualifies as art, in my opinion, and we want to encourage visitors to purchase and own some of their work.”
Alongside the festival, Hussain will also be organising a prize raffle draw. They’ll be one ticket for every dinar spent on art pieces.
Adding to the excitement will be pop-culture-themed Harry Potter and Marvel trivia games happening every evening with vouchers and gifts provided by local businesses.
The art itself is primarily inspired by pop culture, anime and TV shows, but there is something for every artistic palate to be found, say the organisers.
Sara Mukhtar, 23, (Instagram: @sara_artwork17) creates original art as well as fan art inspired by popular TV shows, games and movies, out of which she makes bookmarks, stickers and more.
She considers her art to be a constant search for the best way to interpret herself, and as far as possible, she does not like to limit herself with a single style, concept or art medium.
Abdulaziz Altourani, 24, (IG: sir.cranialdesigns) will be exhibiting his comic art-themed pieces, having also showcased his work during the last art fair organised by Hussain at the end of last year.
“I usually work with traditional art using micron pens and pro-markers, drawing inspiration from legendary Korean American comic-book artist and current DC Comics publisher Jim Lee, as well as the late and great ‘Godfather of fantasy art’ Frank Frazetta,” Abdulaziz added.
“My love for art solidified when I was in Italy at the age of eight and while undergoing medical treatment, I had nothing but time, during which art with my dad, also an artist, was the perfect escape.”
Meanwhile, 39-year-old Hussain Alnoaimi (IG: @hussainalnoaimiart) has drawn on music for inspiration, and will be showcasing his latest collection, The Sound of Colour.
Hussain Alnoaimi was featured at the Bahrain Jazz Fest in 2021 and is currently creating art integrating behemoths of jazz into his creative process.
“This collection captures the raw emotions that a musical legend experiences while entranced in his passion,” he added.
“Along with using my usual medium of canvas, I also chose the time-honoured medium of reclaimed wood, found on the shores of beaches across Bahrain.
“The natural grains of the wood represent the history of the legend I chose to paint. The harmony that they’ve created is depicted by the drops of paint flowing on wood.”
One of the more unique creatives at the fair, Haneen Alfarwan, 32, (IG:
@whiskersandpotions) considers her cat to be her muse, and makes candles out of 100 per cent soy wax, making for a carcinogen-free clean-burning candle.
Haneen combines her love for cats and candles into eco-friendly pet-safe candles. She also hopes to raise awareness about animal rights through her creations.
Many of these artists have taken advantage of the pandemic restrictions to delve deeper into their craft and create more pieces, like Nujabaa Bader (IG: @nujabaa), who used the extra time to further develop her skills.
The 20-year-old university student has been teaching herself new skills through YouTube, online articles and meet-ups with local artists.
Although she considers herself at the beginning of her art journey, the Bahrain Contemporary Art Association member has created ocean-inspired cup coasters and plates with resin, hand-painted textured notebooks, textured paintings and calligraphy pieces which she will be exhibiting at the fair.
Meanwhile, others like botanical artist Sol Rañola Lastimado (IG: @succulent_ni_sol) have nurtured their pieces carefully and are looking forward to finding new owners to adopt their ‘babies’.
The 54-year-old artist, who worked at Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve for nine years, creates unique botanical arrangements, which she grows at home until she is ready to release them into the world.
These six artists will be joining 15 others, who will be eager to meet more art and pop culture lovers during the art fair.
On Friday, the art festival will run from 5pm to 10pm and on Saturday, from 3pm to 10pm.
