A FORMER Bahrain resident has written a book that promotes a new art movement whilst also featuring key landmarks in the kingdom.
In Urban Sketching: Capturing the Views Around Us, Filipino Joe Larano captures the beauty of a traditional pearl merchant’s house with a wind tower in Manama, the National Evangelical Church and the iconic Clock Tower in Exhibition Avenue.
Mr Larano, who left Bahrain in 1998, drew the sketches during a visit to the kingdom in November last year.
“Urban sketching is a new art movement that is growing rapidly worldwide thanks to the Internet and the social media phenomenon,” the 61-year told the GDN from Vancouver, Canada, where he now lives with his wife and three sons.
“This new art movement was initiated and popularised by Urban Sketchers, an international non-profit organisation dedicated to fostering a global community of artists.
“I visited these sites during my visit to Bahrain last year and sketched them on location.”
The featured scenes are presented in the book with descriptions, he said.
“The wind tower house is presented in a two-page spread and featured as part of the book cover.”
The architect recalled his days in Bahrain (1984 to 1998) where he worked with an engineering firm and was involved in several key projects.
He worked as an architect with Adel Ahmadi Associates and the now-defunct Central Municipal Council.
“I was working on a landscaping project with the Central Municipal Council and did the design work for the Clock Tower located in Exhibition Avenue and worked on different sports facilities, such as the National Stadium.
“This is my first book that was written as an educational and reference book on urban sketching.”
Mr Larano said he started to enhance his sketching skills and took part in various events that led him to become an active Urban Sketcher and pursue the writing of this book.
Elaborating, he said the book also contained work of other artists as he wanted to give budding urban sketchers a platform to promote their work.
“I am already thinking of working on a new project that captures the architectural marvels of the Middle East including Bahrain, which has witnessed massive development.”
The former Bahrain resident was also one of the founding board of governors of the Philippine School Bahrain.
“My brother and sister are in Bahrain, and I met my wife who used to work at the American Mission Hospital.
“My three sons were born in Bahrain, so there is a deep connection with this country.
“I am semi-retired now and have time to work on different projects that will definitely feature Bahrain.”
The book has just been released recently for international distribution and is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble online bookstores and websites.
sandy@gdn.com.bh
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