Bahraini visual artist Buthaina Shaheen has turned the kingdom’s growing green landscape into a source of artistic inspiration, showcasing paintings highlighting Bahrain’s afforestation efforts at two prestigious international exhibitions.
The Riffa resident’s works were featured this month at the Food in Art exhibition, staged by the Artàporter platform in Turin, Italy. The event explored the deep connection between food, culture and visual memory.
Her creations were subsequently showcased at Artàporter’s Botanical Art exhibition, alongside works by other international artists. Celebrating nature and plant biodiversity through contemporary art, the expo provided a fitting platform for Ms Shaheen’s interpretations of Bahrain’s expanding greenery and environmental landscape.
Ms Shaheen, who works as a Council Affairs Specialist at the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry, brings her subjects to life using a diverse range of media, including oil, acrylic, pencil and charcoal.
“It was nice to showcase my work at these exhibitions and present a glimpse of Bahrain to the world,” Ms Shaheen told the GDN. “I have a genuine interest in afforestation, gardens and parks, which is reflected in my paintings,” she added.
Some of her standout pieces included Palm Oasis, Date Harvest and Palm and Date Garden, all paying tribute to Bahrain’s identity as ‘the land of a million date palms’.
Talking about Palm and Date Garden, she explained that it was inspired by the Isa Town walkway. The park is known for its palm trees and greenery interspersed with paths for visitors. Additionally, it features integrated water-misting systems designed to cool joggers and runners, especially during the intense summer months.
“This park is one of the modern projects implemented by the Bahraini government through the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry. It is one of the distinctive gardens in Bahrain because it contains palm trees and features a water mist sprayer,” she noted.
Spurred on by the success of this model, another park in A’ali was unveiled this month, combining fitness facilities, solar-powered lighting, security cameras, upgraded grounds and a water-mist cooling system. The project covers around 23,175sqm and is being presented as a testing ground for a new municipal recreation model that can be replicated across Bahrain.
The painting Date Harvest also brings Bahrain’s cultural identity to life through dates, a staple of the local diet. There are close to 3,000 varieties of dates worldwide, with Bahrain home to more than 100.
Adding diversity to the collection, The Beginning of Spring features colourful blooms and greenery reminiscent of the kingdom’s landscaping.
“It reflects Bahrain’s commitment to reforestation, as part of its focus on the agricultural sector and the expansion of green spaces throughout the kingdom,” she added.
The artist noted that her style is based on the classical school of art, which focuses on ancient heritage, symmetry and visual perfection. Her work also draws on realism, with an emphasis on accuracy and meticulous detail.
“I continuously strive to develop my artistic experience through participation in international projects and exhibitions,” Ms Shaheen added.
In the past, she has participated in numerous local exhibitions and international events, including the Fujairah Art Exhibition in the UAE, where she explored the relationship between humans and machines through her work, and the Misk Art Fair in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“My journey began when I was in middle school and won first place in an inter-school art competition. This marked the beginning of my artistic career. I hope to continue creating art, as it remains one of my greatest passions,” she said.
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