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The Bahrain Contemporary Art Association has announced the second edition of its exhibition honouring Palestine, on November 9.
‘Palestine Exhibition – Identity, Culture, Art’ will be staged at the association’s headquarters in Manama, in collaboration with the Palestine Embassy, expressing solidarity with the country and its people, using the creative medium.
Palestine Ambassador Arif Yusuf Saleh will inaugurate the event, which will also be attended by other ambassadors and guests.
The showcase will bring together visual artists from various backgrounds to display their creations, reflecting the plight and resilience of the Palestinian people.
A part of the proceeds from the sale of artworks will be donated towards the Palestinian cause.
“The paintings will reflect the artistic identity and culture of Arab artists from Bahrain and other Arab countries,” an organiser told the GDN, adding that the exhibition will run for at least a week depending on the association’s calendar.
The ongoing war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023. A latest Unicef report, dated October 8, highlighted that so far, 64,000 children have been reportedly killed or maimed across the Gaza Strip, including at least 1,000 babies.
Olive Branches by Ms Novik-Khamis
“It is important that we continue to support Palestine, to speak through art when words feel powerless,” Russian expatriate and full-time artist Alexandra Novik-Khamis said.
Ms Novik-Khamis
“Exhibitions like this remind us that empathy, compassion and solidarity still exist, and that creativity can be a form of resistance, a way to keep hope alive.
“As a Russian artist who has lived in Bahrain for many years, I often find myself reflecting on how art can bridge cultures and speak to the deepest human emotions,” the creative from Amwaj said.
Motherland by Ms Novik-Khamis, which was also displayed last year
Ms Novik-Khamis will submit three artworks that bring alive many emotions using striking imagery.
“In Motherland, holding something fragile and blood-stained becomes a reflection on protection and sorrow.
Tears of the Homeland personifying the Palestinian symbol of resistance - the watermelon
“Olive Branches turns a symbol of peace into a bleeding reminder of endurance and Tears of the Homeland transforms a simple watermelon into a quiet cry for freedom and dignity,” the 37-year-old added.
Ms Gabriel brings alive the ‘chaos’ through rough strokes using a palette knife
American teacher Samara Gabriel has plans to exhibit two paintings of women, highlighting their angst through the subjects’ eyes.
Ms Gabriel
“In my first piece, the woman is worn down, her eyes red and swollen from all the tears that she has cried … which are now dry, as everyone she loved is gone,” the 53-year-old from Busaiteen noted.
“There is anger in them but also a new strength that is beginning to appear.
Ms Gabriel paints eyes that speak
“My second artwork is roughly painted with a palette knife for a more chaotic view. She is in shock, can’t move, can’t scream … she is frozen as we see the image of the fires burning reflected in her eyes,” Ms Gabriel explained.
Last year’s exhibition brought together more than 30 artists, including Palestinians, who displayed 45 artworks. Some of the themes included grieving parents, who have lost their children in air raids and the hunger and confusion of war stricken Palestinians, especially the children, who have been affected by ordeal.
n Artists aged above 18, who would like to participate, must register by November 1 via the link @contemporaryartbh on Instagram. Submissions will be reviewed and curated by a specialised committee.
melissa@gdnmedia.bh
War update – Pages 16-17
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