Indian expatriate and nature enthusiast Pallavi Jain got the idea during the recent conflict – a period of uncertainty and deep anxiety for many.
The paintings that she has completed with her friends reflect optimistic elements like bright blue skies, vibrant blooms and green foliage, the blazing orange sun and fluidly swimming fish.
Instead of conventional brush paintings, the Saar resident resorted to repurposing mundane household objects like face towels, plastic bags and dried branches and leaves to complete the artworks.
“I am a nature lover and my work be it writing or painting is always about Mother Earth,” the 51-year-old ‘eco-warrior’told GulfWeekly.
“The last couple of months were difficult and my creativity was at its lowest until one day, I read the quote: ‘Tear down the wall’. Something stirred within me and I decided to embark on an artistic project that would in turn uplift my friends’ spirits,” she added.
The published author and poet talked to her mates, who live close by, about painting their walls. Initially, they were hesitant but eventually, they trusted her artistic judgement.
“I told them that it won’t be a conventional painting endeavour and that we will not use brushes – they were intrigued. I knew I had to keep it simple as my friends are not artists but I wanted them to be involved in the creative process.
“We painted the first mural with an old face towel. I chose a blue background to symbolise the sky. For the tree, we put colour on dried branches from my friend’s garden and dabbed it on to the blue wall and for leaves, we put paints on real leaves and imprinted it on the branches. The blooms were an impression of actual flowers.
“For the second mural, we painted a pond with lotus leaves and fish. The background was again done with old cloths, and to paint the lotus leaves we used a plastic bag. It was a very interesting process, which I had seen on Instagram and we enjoyed working on it together,” noted the Bahrain resident of more than 10 years.
The murals were finally coated with homemade clear varnish to make them wash proof.
“One of the most rewarding parts of the project was that my friends overcame their inhibitions. They used to think that they cannot paint but this experience gave them a platform to explore their creative side,” she added.
Pallavi revealed that she is in talks with more people for her current project.
In the past, she has been invited by New Horizon School in Segaya to paint the institution’s boundary walls. Even during the Covid pandemic, when most of us were resorting to creative pursuits for our mental wellbeing, Pallavi turned to art and painted her garage walls.
The folk art and culture lover has also participated in many group exhibitions. Last year, she unveiled her debut solo exhibition entitled Prithvi – Earth Breathing Through Art, featuring creations inspired by natural elements, including iconic local symbols. The display showcased 18 mixed media artworks, using materials like paper, fabric, sand and acrylics, all reflecting her deep connection with nature and humanity. Part of the proceeds from art sales were donated to Bahrain Down Syndrome Society to raise awareness for the cause and foster inclusivity.
“I believe art is a universal language and connects people beyond the boundaries of colour, culture or creed. It is a powerful tool to raise awareness about preserving the Earth and its inhabitants. Art is an expression of emotions and has deep connection with the soul. It is not about creating a masterpiece but about finding peace in chaos,” she remarked.
Follow Pallavi’s creative journey @bhoomi_our_land on Instagram.
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