Bahraini artist Huda Al Saie is highlighting the history and beauty of Bahrain in an art exhibition in Berlin.
The painter, known for her porcelain creations, is featuring 11 of her colourful abstract artworks at the aquabitArt gallery during Berlin Art Week 2020, as highlighted earlier in the GDN.
Her acrylic exhibition, entitled From the Land of Eternity, is being curated by Frances Stafford who held previous roles at Al Riwaq Art Space as well as the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities. She also recently curated a few exhibits featuring Bahraini artists in Berlin including Abbas Yousef and Yasmin Sharabi.
Due to the pandemic, Ms Al Saie was unable to attend the opening physically but she was present in virtual form via an Ipad held up by Ms Stafford.
“I am very happy and excited about the exhibition but at the same time disappointed that Covid-19 has had such a bad impact on us,” said Ms Al Saie.
“If it wasn’t for Covid, I would have already been in Europe. Thankfully, I was able to see my guests via a video call.”
Art lovers adorning masks flocked to her exhibition including Dr Yahia Mohammed Al Shaibi, the ambassador of Yemen, Abdulla Abullatif Abdulla, the ambassador of Bahrain to Germany and Ahmed Al Muharraqi, the deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Bahrain.
She added: “I was excited to see how the guests engaged with my artworks and was interested to hear their thoughts about Bahrain.
“The exhibition is about Bahrain. I am inspired by Bahrain’s traditional architecture as well as the island’s flora, fauna and landscape. I thought it was fitting to pay homage to my homeland.”
According to Ms Al Saie, many of her abstract artworks on show are inspired by the cool palm groves, the quiet interior courtyards of traditional houses and the majesty of the minarets, arches and domes that adorn ancient architecture.
Serving up Bahraini culture
The artworks also showcase the history of Bahrain. She said: “I wanted to share our history such as the Sumerian text, The Epic of Gilgamesh, which refers to Dilmun (present day Bahrain) as the Garden of the Gods or Paradise.
“Bahrain has long been described as the Land of a Million Palm Trees. I wanted to use the word eternity as these myths live on in the hearts of all Bahrainis.”
Her favourite piece on display is called Birds in Paradise which she says ‘came about spontaneously’.
She also enjoyed creating a new series that she started during the Coronavirus crisis. “It’s funny,” she said. “As we couldn’t go anywhere due to Covid-19, I started portraying travelling through the streets of Bahrain on my canvases.
“I find myself working on my paintings longer every day now. I really enjoy the process.”
Ms Al Saie has spent more than 30 years practising porcelain and teaching it in Bahrain. Now, she enjoys using acrylic paints too.
She hopes people enjoy her exhibition, which ends tomorrow, and that she has inspired aspiring artists.
“I hope that my art will be appreciated and that people in Berlin will have their curiosity peaked as I think it is very different from the art that is usually showcased there,” she added.
“I also want people to understand the value of visual art and to inspire the younger generation to express themselves through different artistic mediums as well.”
&uuid=(email))