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More than 50 colourful glass and crystal sculptures made by Bahraini-British artist Louis Jawad, using locally-available materials, have been showcased at an exhibition at the Art Centre, Manama.
The event, titled ONE: Thematic Journeys Through Glass, features seven collections, made over seven years, that highlight the kingdom’s rich history and explores the relationship between natural resources, cultural heritage and modern innovation.
The 30-year-old is following in the footsteps of his father, Jeyad Jawad, who is believed to be the first Bahraini stained glass artist, having worked on some of the kingdom’s most iconic landmarks, including palaces, mosques and malls. He was also featured in the GDN more than 25 years ago for his unique craft and talent.
“This exhibition represents the culmination of seven years of my life that I have crafted into dozens of works of glass and crystal sculptures, some weighing around 60kg,” said Mr Jawad, who was born and raised in the kingdom before returning to the UK at the age of eight.
Mr Jawad
“As the son of a renowned glass artist, I grew up surrounded by the beauty and artistry of glasswork, and the early exposure undoubtedly inspired my love for glass.
“This love gradually grew in me, leading me to complete my Master’s degree in Architectural and Contemporary Glass, and eventually to return to my homeland, Bahrain, around seven years ago to hold this exhibition and shed light on the beauty of local resources and materials.”
The seven collections include – Reflections: Structural Symphonies of Light, Impressions of Bahrain, Ephemeral Fragments, Reflecting Legacies, Layers of Resilience, Erosion: A Story of Destruction and Renewal and Vessels, each highlighting a special theme or experience.
A glass bowl from Mr Jawad’s collection Vessels
They were created by kiln casting, a type of glass casting in which cold glass is placed over a mold inside of a kiln. The kiln is brought up to molten temperatures, causing the glass to flow into the mold. The glass object is annealed and cooled as the kiln is slowly brought back to room temperature.
“Impressions of Bahrain, for example, draws inspiration from the island’s natural environments, transforming the physical impressions of it into delicate glass forms,” he said, adding that the works depict the kingdom’s sand dunes and the intricate patterns of traditional architecture.
“The aim is to preserve Bahrain’s spirit and shine a light on the modern side of it as well,” he added.
To highlight the kingdom’s history, Mr Jawad has created a collection that takes inspiration from the ancient Dilmun civilisation.
“From echoes of the Dilmun civilisation’s clay pots to modern interpretations of brass and copper vessels, the Vessels collection tells stories of how people lived and survived through this time,” he said.
Dilmun, with Bahrain as its central site, was an important trading centre from the late fourth millennium BC to 800 BC. It was also very prosperous during the first 300 years of the second millennium BC.
A piece from Reflections: Structural Symphonies of Light
Meanwhile, Reflections: Structural Symphonies of Light acts as a visual ode to the kingdom’s modernity and its stunning skyline.
“The collection highlights the interplay of glass, stone, brick and marble to create a dynamic dialogue between form and light,” he said, adding that the works also aim to depict the way sunlight hits the kingdom’s modern skyscrapers, creating ‘ever-changing patterns of illumination and shadow’.
According to the artist, the common theme of his collection is how glass can be used and transformed into anything.
“Glass is not a common material used here, so I am excited to introduce how the material can be used to other local, talented artists,” he said.
His other collections on display at the event explores how natural elements in its raw form, including sand, can be transformed into glass works. Anxiety and depression are other themes emphasised in his creations.
Work from Impressions of Bahrain
Mr Jawad’s work has been displayed at the Swansea Business School, Volcano Art Gallery, UK, and the 51st Bahrain Fine Arts Exhibition.
In addition to his artistic practice, he has also given lectures at Swansea University, Wales and Al Jasra Handicrafts Centre.
ONE: Thematic Journeys Through Glass, which opened on April 16, is being held at the Art Centre, Manama, until April 30, from 9am to 8pm. It is organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca).
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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