A bold and creative initiative that could see Bahrain transform tonnes of landfill waste into stunning works of art is being spearheaded by Southern Municipal Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif.
The proposal, still in its early stages, is inspired by a chance encounter with the work of Iraqi artist Montether Al Hakeem, whose unique visual stories created from discarded books, electronics and vehicle spare parts have captivated thousands of people on social media.
“I stumbled upon this artist on Instagram purely by coincidence,” Mr Abdullatif told the GDN.
“It immediately struck me – if he can take something old, forgotten or broken and turn it into something beautiful and meaningful, why can’t we do the same in Bahrain?”
The idea matured further during Mr Abdullatif’s visit to Youth City 2030, an annual event that celebrates innovation and youth creativity.
“Seeing the energy and ingenuity at Youth City convinced me that Bahrain is ready for a movement like this. We have the talent, the resources and – unfortunately – the waste.”
The concept goes beyond traditional recycling efforts and taps into a more creative, cultural and sustainable approach.
“Tonnes of waste are dumped as junk in the landfill site in Hafeera,” Mr Abdullatif explained.
“But why not create art with it? We can hit two birds with one stone: reduce waste dumping and encourage art.”
If realised, the plan would establish a national programme to collect recyclable junk – including books, wires, metal scraps and obsolete electronics – and channel it into art workshops, exhibitions and public installations.
Mr Abdullatif envisions local artists being trained by regional and international names like Mr Al Hakeem.
“This artist is not the only one,” he said.
“There are others doing similar work around the world. We can invite them here to teach and train local artists on this fascinating form of artistic transformation.”
To move forward, Mr Abdullatif is preparing to present his proposal to the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca), the National Council for Arts and the Youth Affairs Ministry.
He believes the initiative fits perfectly with Bahrain’s goals of environmental responsibility, youth empowerment and cultural enrichment.
“It is a long-term strategy,” he emphasised. “And it could be done. With proper co-ordination, support and awareness, we could become a regional hub for artistic recycling.”
He also revealed that a preliminary implementation study is being finalised and will be shared with relevant authorities in the coming days.
The proposal may include designated waste collection points for art purposes, training centres, public awareness campaigns and collaborative programmes with schools and universities.
Mr Abdullatif believes the programme can contribute far beyond the art community.
“It’s about more than just creating sculptures or displays,” he said.
“It’s about changing how we see waste, building a culture that respects the environment and celebrates innovation.”
He added that the proposal comes at a time when global awareness around sustainability and the role of art in social change is increasing.
“Bahrain has already launched several environmental initiatives, but this could be the first to intertwine culture, youth and sustainability in such a creative and impactful way.”
“We often see waste as a problem.
“But with the right mindset, it can be an opportunity – an opportunity to educate, inspire and create something beautiful from what was once discarded.”
Mr Abdullatif said if approved and implemented, the initiative could place Bahrain at the forefront of a growing global movement – where art becomes a tool not only of expression, but also of environmental change.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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