AN exhibition featuring dozens of artworks that were created by using palm leaf paper opened at the Art Centre in Manama yesterday.
The fourth edition of ‘The Palm Leaf’ exhibition, organised in collaboration with the Children and Mothers Welfare Society and Makan Art Gallery, aims to support and promote the society’s Women’s Training Centre for paper craft, which produces palm leaf paper to generate funds for its humanitarian work in helping mothers and children in the kingdom.
The exhibition is being held under the patronage of National Arts Council member Shaikha Dwa bint Khalid Al Khalifa, who is also one of the 24 talented artists showcasing their work.
All of the proceeds from the event, which is being held as part of the ongoing Spring of Culture festival, will be donated to the society.
“Even though all the works had to be created on palm leaf paper, there was no specific theme, so it’s interesting to see what each artist came up with,” Shaikha Dwa told the GDN, on the sidelines of the opening.
“There are many different kinds of works including acrylic paintings, water colour and collages. There is definitely a piece that all visitors will enjoy, and it’s great to see so many artists participating this year. “I am showcasing a series of collages, with the prints displayed above them on palm paper. I wanted to make sure that everything was placed perfectly so it showcased the palm paper nicely.”
Society president Shaikha Hind bint Salman Al Khalifa highlighted the palm leaf’s historical significance in Bahraini handicrafts.
“The palm tree served as a very important material for many people and it has been used to produce a range of handicrafts, mats and baskets for several generations,” she said, adding that each year, she sees a high level of artistry in how the creatives produce their work on the palm frond paper.
“The exhibition serves as a time for people to showcase their skill, and we are always very grateful for the proceeds that are raised, which will be used to help towards numerous expenses including bills, nurseries and kindergartens that we manage.”
Meanwhile, Maryam Aloraibi told the GDN that the exhibition inspired her to think ‘outside of the box’ and create something different.
“Instead of producing a regular painting, I decided to first engrave the design on wood and then print it with red, black and green ink on palm leaf paper,” she explained.
“It was a very difficult process because printing on palm leaf paper is completely different from regular paper, and it took several times to get a good final product.”
Ms Aloraibi, who has been creating art since she was nine years old, also expressed her excitement to have her work displayed at this exhibition, since it is her first event in many years after taking an early retirement from her career in public relations to reconnect with her true passion – art.
“It feels amazing to be back doing what I truly love, and I am proud to be apart of this amazing exhibition.”
Latifa Al Shaikh, inspired by her father’s photography, created a colourful collage to shine a bright spotlight on the various roles that women play in society.
“All of the cut-outs were pasted onto the palm leaf paper,” she said, adding that the women in the collage were photographed by her father.
“There is a story behind every picture and I believe these images represent strong, determined women that we should appreciate.”
Palm trees, which have existed for millennia, are native to the kingdom which is why Bahrain is known as the land of a million palm trees.
The beauty of the tree is that aside from the dates every part of it can be turned into something useful.
For example, cut fronds are used for fishing nets, the leaves are used to weave baskets and pollen is scraped from the leaves to produce pollen water for medicinal purposes.
The exhibition will run until January 18, and is open everyday from 9am to 8pm.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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