A group of Bahrain-based talents will bring alive their distinct digital interpretations of local traditions, culture and architecture at an exhibition being staged at the Muharraq Nights festival.
Five Bahraini creatives – self-taught artist and writer Mona Alaradi, designer and calligraphy enthusiast Qassim Haydar, digital artist and entrepreneur Layan Alsamahiji, visual designer Subah Al Jalahma and sketcher and digital creative Yaqoob Alabdulla – and Russian expatriate and art and culture aficionado Alexandra Novik-Khamis will display their works at Hala Building on the Pearling Path, which runs from Qal’at Bu Mahir to the Pearl Museum – Siyadi Majlis.
The exhibition is organised by Creative Horizons and Sellou space.
“For me, participating this year is both an honour and a journey, a chance to share my vision while learning from the collective soul of this event,” 37-year-old Alexandra told GulfWeekly.
Her creation Cultural Memory reflects the rich culture of Bahrain with a modern twist.
“It is digital artwork blended with a traditional painting. I wanted to highlight the importance of preserving meaningful cultural symbols – like the golden mask (battoulah) and henna – that have shaped generations.
“Through vivid colours and contemporary details, I show how these symbols can continue to live, evolve, and be embraced by the new generation,” she explained.
Another iconic cultural symbol that has been artistically explored at the exhibition is the ubiquitous palm tree – intricately interwoven throughout the kingdom’s history, be it through the barastis or houses built using palm fronds, the jalboots or old boats designed from wicker leaves, or the traditional craft of basket weaving that has transcended generations.
Self-taught artist and former finance expert Mona’s work lends this symbol a distinct touch. She is displaying a digital print of her artwork entitled Memoirs of a Sailor, which was previously sold.
“The organisers were looking for a cultural theme to go with Muharraq Nights’ vibes and Memoirs of a Sailor tells the story of pearl divers who risk everything to find prosperity for their family,” the 43-year-old noted.
“It is inspired by Gustav Klimt’s golden artworks and the Kuwaiti musical production of the same name.”
Over the last decades, digital art has emerged as a growing style in the kingdom’s art community. While creatives across ages have taken to the medium, there has been a wave of young artists, who have jumped onto the trend, bringing with them a fresh perspective.
One such creative is 19-year-old Subah, who is exhibiting a collaborative artwork entitled Where Colour Remembers by his brand Subah Designs and local platform BTW Media.
“It captures Bahrain’s cultural sites in black and white, holding each place as a quiet, timeless memory,” explained the accounting and finance student at Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance -Bangor University.
“Bold digital strokes revive these scenes, reclaiming stories time tried to fade. The contrast between stillness and colour shows how heritage is never lost—only waiting to be remembered. Each shade brings history back to life, celebrating the enduring spirit of Bahrain.”
The exhibition runs until December 9.
For more information, follow @pearlingpath on Instagram.
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