Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
AN art exhibition showcasing the colourful creations of six young adults on the spectrum will be staged this month.
Shahzaib’s Club House, a local community of differently abled people, is organising the event, which will bring alive paintings with unique interpretations and diverse themes.
“This is the first time we are doing an art exhibition and the idea is to offer our children and young adults a platform to express themselves,” club house founder and director Amena Shahrukh told GulfWeekly.
“By exhibiting these paintings, our children will be involved in something productive and might even be noticed by senior and renowned artists who could help them master the art,” she added.
The Pakistani expatriate started the club house two years ago as an extension of her personal journey with her late son, Mohammed Shahzaib Lali, who was differently abled. He died of pneumonia at the age of 21.
The virtual platform is a vertical of Fitness 365 Dance Workout Studio and Wellness Centre, also founded by Amena, who has plans to open a special needs centre in the long run with a dedicated space for the club house.
“My beautiful son was my inspiration to start this club, to encourage, inspire and help other parents and families navigating special needs,” Amena said.
“As special parents, my husband (Shahrukh Lali) and I totally understand the challenges faced by other parents and children, especially young adults.
“The club house’s mission is to create a society where every individual is accepted, loved and supported regardless of their abilities or disabilities,” the Janabiya resident, who has been living in Bahrain for the last 10 years, added.
Noora Zainal, 21, is one of the participants and will be exhibiting the painting of a horse, inspired by her cousin, a horse rider. Her father Yusuf Zainal described her creative process as ‘confident’ and stressed that the young talent completed the artwork herself.
“Noora is interested in horses and art seems to come naturally to her,” Yusuf, a business owner from Hamad Town, said.
“We hope this exhibition will show how people with Down syndrome can succeed in many majors, and offer Noora a platform to socialise, boost her self-esteem, and talk about her art,” he added.
Ahsan Zulfiqar, 27, another participant, draws happiness, calmness and confidence through his artistic pursuits. His mediums of work include Madhubani – a traditional Indian art form – acrylics, calligraphy and landscape, and he often collaborates with his teacher.
“The exhibition is a great opportunity to showcase Ahsan’s work, which gives him a sense of independence and self-worth,” mother Ruqia Zulfiqar, a homemaker, who lives with her husband and son in A’ali, added.
Other participants are Yousuf Anwar, Sarah Wilson, Aakil ‘Sachu’ Francis, and Hanin Al Sawi.
In the past, Shahzaib’s Club House has staged numerous events for special families, like fitness and Zumba sessions, photography events, mothers’ retreats, cooking sessions and more.
“We are planning to have more
talent-oriented events in the future,” Amena said.
“We aim to increase awareness, acceptance and inclusivity for individuals with different abilities which is Shahzaib Club House’s prime mission and vision.
“Last but not the least, by selling their paintings, our children will have a feeling of self-worth,” the special needs advocate and author added.
Ninety per cent of the proceeds from sales of the paintings will go to the artists and, with the consent of their parents, 10pc will be used towards the club house’s initiatives for the children, according to Amena.
The social entrepreneur has plans to launch a newsletter this year, which will feature inspiring stories and educational information for families with differently abled members.
In 2021, Amena published Manifest Differently Abled, a 178-page book that poignantly documents her journey as the parent of a ‘gifted child’.
The exhibition will be inaugurated on Saturday, 11am, and run until September 15 at Bahrain Artistic Frames Centre in Budaiya.
For more details, follow @shahzaibsclubhouse on Instagram.
