A BAHRAIN-based group of creatives is set to expand its mission of beautifying public spaces and engaging young artistic talents by participating in a series of mosaic workshops in Saudi Arabia that start today.
Art Reach Bahrain will host them as part of the public programmes organised under the ongoing Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale (DCAB) 2024. The sessions will blend the communal spirit of the group with the local Najdi tradition, where windows and doors of private residences are adorned with simple geometric motifs and floral patterns.
DCAB is an international showcase of Saudi’s contemporary art scene, which brings together creative talents of various generations and backgrounds, from writers and poets to architects. This year’s theme ‘After Rain’ symbolises ‘revitalisation’ and ‘renewal’, underpinning the nurturing nature of the biennale.
“I really hope to bring out the essence of working together for the bigger good through these workshops,” Art Reach programme director Lena Dajani told the GDN. “Participants will decorate a set of large planters with mosaic using an indirect, paper-face technique that’s ideal for a studio setting and group participation. Artists will be able to work independently, choosing a colour palette and template that fits into larger unified panels that will wrap around the planters and that I hope it will be an artistic feature in Diriyah for years to come.”
Mosaic is a decorative art form to create patterns or images made of small regular or irregular pieces of coloured stone, glass or ceramic, held in place by plaster or mortar, and covering a surface. The workshop will integrate the 15th century Najdi tradition from the Najd region of central Saudi Arabia that is rooted in nature and local customs.
“Simple decorative designs are a welcoming feature for guests and can be unique markers in identifying a place. A homeowner or family’s identity is expressed artistically and projected into the public sphere for passers-by to admire, which is the essence of this custom.
”As someone who promotes art in public spaces, I am excited for the inspiration that this tradition offers. Najdi designs and other cultural influences can be replicated and/or transformed into more contemporary mosaic murals. In Bahrain for example, Art Reach has created colourful mosaic street signs for homes and compounds, drawing attention to a place and adding colour to our streets.
“The idea is that community art projects connect people to places and create bonds and shared identities that can last a lifetime. Aspiring artists are invited to ponder these cultural connections that form the bedrock of our collective heritage,” the Palestinian-American artist explained.
At the upcoming workshop, Ms Dajani, 56, will talk to participants about her favourite public art projects in the kingdom, like the mosaic garden for children at the psychiatric hospital in Salmaniya and the spiral maze at Al Fateh corniche in Manama.
“My hope is that this workshop brings out the special energy that comes from working as a team to make positive changes to our environment and to beautify public spaces,” she added.
Art Reach Bahrain was founded by creative talents Ms Dajani and Rula Al Chorbachi. Together with local artists and designers of diverse backgrounds, they have been beautifying Bahrain with their striking, inspirational installations at various locations for the last 10 years.
“Art Reach is always looking for opportunities to design and implement large-scale public art interventions. We’re currently working on concept proposals for a few projects in Bahrain and hope to reveal them soon,” the Riffa resident noted.
The workshops starts from today until Thursday.
For more details, follow @artreachbahrain on Instagram.
melissa@gdnmedia.bh
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