Connecting in artistic harmony

A group of Filipino and Bahraini creatives are welcoming people from across the kingdom to visit their colourful showcase in Muharraq which features an array of artwork in a bid to celebrate years of friendship and togetherness, as well as promote their countries’ cultural richness.

The Salam, Salamat exhibition, organised by the Philippine Embassy, Filipino Creatives Bahrain and Colours of the East, boasts an assortment of pieces from 45 visual artists to commemorate the establishment of Philippines-Bahrain diplomatic relations on November 27, 1978.

“Salam is an Arabic word of greeting that conveys peace, blessings and welcome,” Philippines ambassador Anne Jalando-on Louis told GulfWeekly. “Salamat is the Filipino word for thanks. As the Philippines and Bahrain mark 45 years of diplomatic relations, the two countries celebrate their strong bonds of friendship and co-operation, thankful for their enduring ties that have grown stronger through the years and looking forward to an even more vibrant and successful partnership in decades to come.”

According to the embassy, there are more than 57,000 Filipinos living and work in Bahrain across various fields of occupation.

“This exhibition brings together Filipino and Bahraini visual artists, manifesting the close partnership and engagement between the Philippines and Bahrain in various areas, including in culture and the arts,” added the ambassador. “Our formal ties are preceded by people-to-people contacts, which have grown stronger and deeper through time.

“I wish to acknowledge the hard work, dedication and support that have been extended by the Filipino Creatives Bahrain, led by its president Jie Refugio, in this exhibition, as well as in previous projects with the embassy.

“I also thank Abbas Almosawi and Mahdi Al Jallawi, artists and co-founders of the Colours of the East, for collaborating with the Embassy and the Filipino Creatives Bahrain for this exhibition.

“Maraming salamat po (thank you very much)! Mabuhay!”

The opening ceremony, on December 4 at the Colours of the East gallery in Seef Mall, was a glittering success with ambassadors and representatives from France, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Brazil, Nepal, India, Palestine, Tunis, Bangladesh and Türkiye, admiring the artworks.

National Art Council chairman Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, who was the event’s guest artist, displayed his creations from Egypt digitally on giant screens for all to admire. 

Also in attendance were Foreign Ministry Legal Affairs and Human Rights Affairs director general Dr Yusuf Abdulkarim Bucheeri as well as the chairman of the ASEAN Bahrain Council Shaikh Daij bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Mahdi, who is the chief executive officer of Colours of the East art platform, was also participating as an artist. He highlighted his architecture skills by featuring photographic artworks printed on steel.

“I am an impressionist artist and my two masterpieces are about Bahrain and its landmarks,” he said. “These artworks are also displayed in Bahrain’s new e-passport. I am telling the story of my nation and the land of two seas in my works.”

Jie’s painting The Resilient Muse had captured a lot of attention as well as adoration from Abbas on social media.

It is a tribute to Apo Whang Od, a legendary tattoo artist from the Philippines.

“My art is a celebration of beauty, resilience, tradition, and culture,” said the 40-year-old hyperrealistic artist who used charcoal and graphite on canvas to create the masterpiece.

“Through my painting of Apo Whang Od, I aim to convey the profound impact that these elements have on our lives,” added Jie.

“She represents the embodiment of beauty in her artistry, resilience in her life experiences and the preservation of traditional practices and cultural heritage.

“In a world that is constantly evolving, it is crucial to recognise and appreciate the enduring beauty and strength found within our traditions and cultures. My artwork serves as a reminder that these aspects not only shape our individual identities, but also contribute to the rich tapestry of humanity. Through the strokes of my brush, I hope to inspire viewers to embrace their own cultural heritage, to find strength in their resilience, and to appreciate the diverse beauty around us.

“By highlighting the story of Apo Whang Od, I aim to ignite a sense of pride and admiration for the traditions and cultures that have shaped us, encouraging a deeper connection to our roots and fostering a greater understanding and appreciation for the beauty that exists in every corner of the globe.”

Jie also said that the artworks on display were ‘truly stunning’, and the general ambience of the event exuded ‘warmth and inclusivity’.

Teacher Lanne ‘Lhanz’ Cabaraca, 44, exhibited two pieces as well, called Rainforest of the Sea and Perlas.

“I enjoy using acrylic paints and acrylic markers to doodle on canvas and I created the series called Seascape as part of this art exhibition,” said the abstract expressionist. “My masterpieces depict the similarities between the Philippines and Bahrain. The Rainforest of the Sea simply shows that both countries are surrounded by water and have vibrant colours of coral reefs around them.

“Perlas, which means pearl, shows that Bahrain has a rich history of pearling and the Philippines was known as the Pearl of the Orient Seas.”

Meanwhile, 58-year-old Carlo Rico, who is also an educator and mentor, displayed three of his artworks to reflect his country’s culture and people.

“I share the love for my country through my art,” he said.

“The Chieftain is one of the prominent figures in the mountain province, within the various ethnic group in the Philippines. I used acrylic with the modern impression of style to bring an eye catchy effect to the figure. He is also wearing the traditional attire for their tribe.”

His Maria Clara is the traditional reflection of a Filipina woman during the pre-war era. Carlo used acrylic for the art to depict a quick semi-abstraction with the figure.

“The colours also reflect the identity of Filipina traditional attire,” he added.

His other art called Filipina - an impression of a lady wearing a traditional dress - was created using charcoal.

Interior designer and artist Mohamed Taha, 67, featured a painting using acrylic on canvas.

“This exhibition showcases the different cultures and traditions positively,” said Mohamed. “There was such a harmony between the artists.”

The showcase will run until tomorrow (December 14) from 10am to 10pm.

For details, follow @filipinocreativesbahrain and @coebahrain on Instagram.