A striking collection of paintings by a young Bahraini artist fuses symbolism with local identity, with the hamour fish emerging as a powerful and recurring central motif.
The works by Isra Almarzooq – titled Floweriest One and Two and Undone One and Two – are being showcased at The Affordable Edit Art Exhibition, First Edition. The event has been organised by Akkas Gallery, in collaboration with Makan Art Gallery, as part of World Art Day celebrations.
Ms Almarzooq told the GDN that the hamour fish appears throughout her paintings as a layered symbolic element.
Widely recognised in Bahrain, hamour is a staple of local cuisine, commonly used in traditional dishes such as machboos, and is considered one of the kingdom’s most prized and expensive fish.
“I often draw fish in my artwork because I see them as a symbol that carries deeper meanings beyond what most people notice,” said Ms Almarzooq.
“To me, a fish represents a detached, almost indifferent being – one that does not show emotions or concern for what is around it. This idea stayed with me when I learned that some fish lay their eggs and leave them without care, which made me associate them with a creature that lives only for itself,” the 22-year-old creative from Manama added.
She added that some myths also suggest drawing fish can bring good luck. “Some interpretations connect this to the idea that fish are self-focused and therefore seen as positive symbols, because prioritising oneself can be viewed as a form of intelligence or self-preservation,” she explained.
“I partly agree with this, as a certain level of selfishness can be healthy, especially when it means putting your mental wellbeing first.”
However, she cautioned that excessive self-focus can have negative consequences.
“When selfishness goes too far and turns to the neglect of others, it becomes a harmful trait that affects both the person and those around them,” she explained. “That is why I use the fish as a dual symbol, representing both positive and negative meanings.”
Ms Almarzooq noted that in most of her work, she leans towards the negative interpretation as it aligns more closely with the emotional struggles she explores in her art. Her pieces, created using acrylic and ink on palm paper, aim to encourage reflection and self-awareness. She hopes viewers are reminded to stop repeating their mistakes, acknowledge their flaws and accept that perfection is unattainable.
“We all make mistakes, but what matters is that we try to fix them and understand that our actions have consequences,” she added.
In Floweriest One and Two, Ms Almarzooq explores the idea of acting without awareness of consequences. She likens it to ‘picking a flower without realising it will die’, symbolising the mistakes people knowingly make, yet continue to repeat due to lack of mindfulness. “In those moments, we behave like children or the ignorant, choosing to continue what we know is wrong.”
Meanwhile, her pieces Undone One and Two reflect on personal growth and accountability.
“As people grow, they try to fix their past mistakes, but forget some things can’t be undone,” she explained. “What matters is how we learn from them, growing and choosing not to repeat the same actions. It speaks about patience, accepting consequences as part of the journey and strengthening our faith in God, no matter what challenges we face.”
The exhibition runs until April 30 at Akkas Gallery. To check out her work, follow @i.hawameer.art on Instagram.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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