Artists in Bahrain have come together to showcase their ‘Visual Dialogues’, an exhibition of semi-figurative and abstract paintings, featuring diverse themes like transition, inner turmoil, hope and human portraits.
The display is a collection of 42 striking works by 22 creative talents, conceptualised and curated by architect and author Sudeep Deshpande and Bahrain Art Collective Artist Group – a set of creative professionals committed to promoting local art and artists.
“We’re so happy with how this exhibition has come alive and we had the privilege of having art collector and Shura Council member Redha Al Faraj with us during the launch,” Mr Deshpande told the GDN.
The 44-year-old from Adliya is exhibiting five of his works, two of which are inspired by ‘fluidity’ and the ocean.
“I have brought alive the ocean using abstract art, exploring the subject with shades of blue,” said the painter and metal sculptor, who has been living in the kingdom for the last 15 years.
“I was inspired by my transition moving to Bahrain and so, have drawn parallels between the fluidity of transition and that of the ocean. The turquoise layering of the waves symbolises my time with the people I have met here.”
Hospitality professional and self-taught artist from Kolkata Manab Das will be displaying two portraits – a style he is passionate about. The painting is meticulously executed so spectators can enjoy the life-like embroidery and jewellery patterns adoring the bride.
“It’s a portrait of fellow artist and exhibitor Monisha Vyas. I asked her to give me a photo which was a close-up and had scope for detailing,” the 43-year-old from Tubli revealed.
Mr Das always exhibited an artistic streak as a child and believes that the classes he attended helped him learn the basic skills. While he painted as a hobby, he noted that working and living alone in Dubai, 10 years ago, while his family was back home, is what inspired him to paint more.
Sana Anwar also believes her personal experiences have impacted her artwork. The Pakistani flew down to Bahrain for four days, just to relive the ‘loneliness’ so she could do justice to her paintings. She moved back home after living for a year in Bahrain in 2024 and hopes to return to the kingdom soon.
“I wanted that environment and had to go through that emotional phase again to bring out the things in me,” explained the 42-year-old, who has an MA in Psychology from Karachi University and a degree majoring in sculpture from Karachi Art School.
‘The Sofa’ explores the delicate balance between realism and abstraction, using familiar yet emotionally-charged symbols (sofa and window) to evoke a sense of inner turmoil and unspoken stories, explained Ms Anwar.
“The contrast of the slightly damaged sofa with the ethereal glow from the window reflects the interplay between the internal and external, the visible and the hidden, as we navigate through moments of vulnerability and strength,” she noted
She added that the drips in the painting symbolise the ‘act of letting go’ and the colours, different sentiments – yellow for ‘home’, brown for ‘grounding’ and blue for ‘consistency’.
The exhibition will run until April 19 at Bahrain Artistic Frames Centre’s Exhibition Road Gallery.
melissa@gdnmedia.bh
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