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Popular Bahraini photographer Ishaq Madan is capturing Bahrain’s disappearing landscape, evoking precious memories through poignant visuals.
The 33-year-old recently posted a selection of images from the ongoing series on Instagram, which attracted nostalgic comments from fans and friends, a nod to the community appeal for times gone by.
The social and cultural documenter launched the untitled series four years ago, attempting to preserve a ‘fading chapter’ in the kingdom’s history. Some of the stills bring alive old-school residential complexes, abandoned play areas and graffiti from locations across the kingdom, such as Isa Town, Umm Al Hassam and Busaiteen.
Graffiti depicting local tradition
“These modular public housing blocks erected between 1976 and 1981 under the Housing Ministry were once the cornerstone of local urban expansion,” Mr Madan told the GDN.
Mr Madan
“Today, as hundreds of these classic buildings across the island are being demolished, their removal marks the poignant end of an era. Beyond the architecture lie personal geographies: playing video games after school at a close friend’s flat in Umm Al Hassam and visiting my (late) grandmother in Isa Town. Families have moved on but traces of life still echo through the concrete,” added the self-taught visual artist with a degree in FinTech and financial markets from Nottingham Trent University in the UK.
The creative highlighted a standout image, which features an orange, stubby bollard-like structure that has been installed where a building once stood and has since been demolished.
A public housing block steeped in memories
“The picture represents my childhood. That is where my best friend’s apartment used to be. After school, we would walk along the bridge from Al Noor International School, Sitra, to Umm Al Hassam. We would hang out in his house, play video games and watch movies. It is significant to me because it no longer exists. That object right there – the bollard – holds all those memories now that the building no longer exists,” explained the Sanad resident.
An abandoned play area evoking nostalgia
While the artist captures memories as an end in itself, seldom aiming for any kind of end result, he expressed hope to showcase this series as a book or zine in the future.
“It would physically bring to life the old times and places so that future generations can look back and appreciate Bahrain’s past. There are many developments happening in Bahrain, with new projects coming up, so the landscape is completely changing and it is important to document, be aware of and appreciate our current environment.”
Talking about some of his personal experiences at local spots that no longer exist, he recounted his childhood visits to Marina Club and Manama Corniche along Al Fateh Highway, which is now being developed as a waterfront destination – Bahrain Marina. Additionally, he talked about the iconic Falcon Monument in Muharraq, which was built in the 80s, and is being moved to make way for a flyover.
“Classic urban gathering points like Andalus Garden in Gudaibiya serve as anchor points for shared community history, from learning how to ride a bicycle as a child to watching generations of diverse communities mingle. They capture a simpler, more accessible visual era of public life on the island before major commercial redevelopments,” he added.
Commending the local talent pool, the creative director noted that many young people are taking up photography, which is promising.
“I see a lot of photographers emerging and it is nice to see that there are people taking up the craft. I think it has become much more popular than it used to be when I first started out. The community is also more diverse with many female photographers in Bahrain, so that’s nice,” he added.
On his plans for the coming months, he noted that he has a solo exhibition coming up at Al Riwaq Art Gallery in Gufool.
In the past, the shutterbug has exhibited at the space and other locations across Bahrain and beyond, including at Sharjah Art Foundation’s Vantage Point 5 in 2018, the Paris Biennale in 2019 and Dubai’s Arab Street Vol 2.
He has also displayed his work at Bahrain International Airport, the 46th Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition and at select New York City subway stations as part of an art programme.
melissa@gdnmedia.bh
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