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One of the kingdom’s acclaimed artists, who has been helping to nurture the potential of scores of painters and mixed-media makers, is appealing to entities and institutions around the island to develop more community spaces for likeminded individuals to gather and create.
Hussain Milad, a well-known artist and an art and design lecturer at the University of Bahrain, was motivated to make the plea after witnessing the works of his recent graduates in which they thought outside the box and delivered powerfully-expressive pieces.
“The love of art continues to flourish in Bahrain and it has also changed immensely over the years,” said the 60-year-old from Jurdab, who was teaching the FA419 studio course in UoB during the second semester of 2021/2022.
“The way we see, admire and value art is not the same any more and more youngsters are turning to this colourful option, so why not provide more places for them. Nowadays, everyone is expected to deliver new ideas, creative techniques and interactive methods to showcase art that is truly engaging and connects with the audience.
“We need more community spaces that embrace young creatives in art, music, drama, film-making and other new types of artistic expression, providing better opportunities to express themselves freely and genuinely. Who knows where art or creative spaces may take you.”
During his course, students were urged to communicate their ideas in visual, written and oral forms, including modern technology.
He believes that type of learning encourages young, emerging creatives to take their art a step further towards a more contemporary approach. Some of his students now aim to make art their profession or practice it in everyday life.
Rahma Ahmed, a 21-year-old Bahraini artist, from Riffa, would like to pursue a master’s degree and hopes to also find her way into contemporary art.
“In this art programme, passionate hearts and creative minds come together to bring visions to life,” she said. “It has turned a passion into a profession for many students like myself and helped us learn new techniques and join an ever-expanding community of artists.
“Art is food for the soul that stirs my emotions and makes me feel alive. Studying art helped me to develop critical thinking and the ability to interpret the world around me. I now know how to deal with different materials, surfaces and subjects.
“It made me want to look more into the history of civilisations and the evolution of the arts across times. I would like to contribute to developing the art scene and participate more in local and international exhibitions.
“Bahrain has always been interested in enriching the artistic and cultural scene by organising solo and collective shows, as well as events and activities supporting art and young pioneers while embracing diverse talents.”
Now, she is the co-founder of a digital platform called Manfath, which is concerned with disseminating artistic culture and putting forward intellectual topics in Arabic in order to support the creative climate in the Arab world.
Her art, entitled The Best Version, is a mixed media piece on LED light fittings. The collection consists of 12 portraits of 12 different cases, representing the number of the months in a year, starting and ending with the same piece, symbolising inevitability.
“My work discusses man’s relationship with himself and the process of searching for the best version of him until he perishes,” she added. “I roam around in myself, indulging in recurring conflicts, changes and the various life events that impact our thoughts.”
Wadeea Mohammed Rajab, 22, from Busaiteen, also wants to help develop the community through art. “I would love to spread art and share how it’s important to our lives by working in a school or gallery as an artist,” she said.
“One day I’d like to build my own institution as well and show the world how our country is full of talented artists.”
She loves the way that art connects people together and that visuals are a powerful way to convey feelings, beliefs and thoughts. Her piece, called Mythical Journey, was created with acrylic pens, watercolours, threads and fabrics.
“My artworks suggest reconsidering the myths and the legends, as they are often mentioned either for fun or to scare children,” she explained. “Through these artworks, I recall what came into my mind as a child. I wonder how these myths carry the soul of every country and its identity as well as travelling through history and civilisations.”
