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Artists from across the island are sharing their adoration and respect for the kingdom with a colourful and expressive showcase to celebrate National Day.
The exhibition, entitled Bahrain-Sailing Through Time, is being organised by In Art World (IAW) Bahrain and its representative Sudeep Deshpande along with his co-ordinators Tejbir Singh, Niju Joy and Atamjeet Bawa at the Bahrain Financial Harbour’s Harbour Gate.
Seventeen members of the IAW Bahrain chapter will be featuring two pieces each inspired by Bahrain, alongside an array of artwork that will be created during the live art sessions.
“We want to pay tribute to this beautiful and friendly country that has been our home away from home,” said Tejbir, a 60-year-old Indian architect and father-of-two whose drawings once landed him among the top 10 finalists of the Artbox.Project New York 1.0.
His artistic style has always been a reflection of his profession. The streets of Muharraq captivated him during a period when he was working on various architectural projects and his fascination for the designs of historic buildings and the authentic appearance of the area resulted in a variety of work.
He captured scenery with a series of pen and ink drawings, adding touches of watercolour and pastel paints to make the images come alive. In his spare time, he would sit and sketch and on other occasions, he would snap a picture of a place of inspiration before picking up pencils and painting in his home in Juffair.
For this exhibit, he will be displaying one artwork in oil and another using soft pastels, pencil colours and markers.
“The inspiration of my artworks has been the urban landscape of Bahrain and its standout architecture,” he said.
“I hope my works will convey my love for this country and its architectural landscape. We all hope to show our love for the country through different styles and expressions via this exhibition.”
Sudeep, also an Indian architect, has his own design firm and will be showcasing his love for Bahrain through acrylics on canvas.
“Bahrain has beautifully influenced my works over the past 11 years,” said Sudeep, an abstract to semi-figurative abstract painter and metal sculptor who has been living in Bahrain for 14 years.
“Bahrain and its culture has influenced the tonal qualities and hues of my colour palettes and inspired me; making me the artist that I am today. I have received various opportunities in showcasing my artistic experimentation in Bahrain as well.”
Artist Saira Ranj, who has won several accolades in art and is a founder of an avant-garde skill development centre based in Bahrain, is also featuring her work for all to enjoy. Aside from writing fiction, penning poems and performing improv, this talented mixed medium artist has exhibited her pieces in Dubai, India and Bahrain.
“When you delve within, you create,” said Saira who lives in Seef and is one of the directors of Bahrain Writers’ Circle. “Something that never existed does now and that is a powerful tool to change the world-find it and use it well. I’m constantly exploring the art scene in Bahrain and find it refreshing.”
The exhibit was inaugurated on Sunday by Indian Ambassador Piyush Srivastava and his wife Monika, along with Mohamed Salahuddin Consulting Engineering Bureau (MSCEB) chairman Mohamed Salahuddin and other dignitaries.
The showcase will end on December 22 and it is located on the second floor of the Harbour Gate at BFH.
