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Bahraini artist Aysha Ahmed has launched a unique art series that blends her lifelong passion for Formula 1 with the cultural textures and landmarks of Bahrain.
The 28-year-old, who works as a business development director at a local creative and marketing agency, has already completed three paintings in the series and aims to create a total of 10, with one dedicated to each team on the grid.
“I’ve always found ways to merge my passions with my art, and this felt like the perfect time to start expressing my love for F1 through painting,” Ms Ahmed told the GDN.
“Each piece is a tribute to the adrenaline, heritage, and innovation that both Formula 1 and Bahrain represent.”
Her fascination with F1 began as a child when she attended the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix in 2004.
Ms Ahmed, aged seven, attending the 2004 Bahrain Grand Prix
“I was just seven years old, and I remember being completely captivated by the red car. I was a huge Ferrari fan from the start,” she added.
From a seven-year-old in the grandstands at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) to an artist capturing the spirit of the race, Ms Ahmed wants to show the world that motorsport can be just as much a canvas for creativity as it is for competition.
Each piece pays homage to a Formula 1 team or driver and also the identity of Bahrain itself, incorporating key symbols and visuals capturing the kingdom’s essence.
“I think about what visually represents Bahrain, especially from a visitor’s perspective,” she explained.
“I ask myself what landmarks or symbols come to mind when someone thinks of Bahrain and use that as my starting point.”
Working exclusively with acrylic paint, Ms Ahmed builds each composition from scratch.
A piece imagining the Aston Martin car in a traditional Bahraini suq
She begins by selecting the team or driver she wants to focus on, then layers in Bahraini cultural elements such as forts, architecture or the desert landscape.
“Once I’m happy with the sketch, I start painting,” she added.
“Each piece takes about a month, mainly because I work on them in my free time.”
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Ms Ahmed, right, with Carlos Sainz when he was driving for Ferrari
Most of her canvases are large-scale, ranging from 80cm by 80cm to 80cm by 120cm.
Her current work-in-progress is a Red Bull Racing piece featuring world champion Max Verstappen, set against the backdrop of a night race at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
She also plans to include one of Bahrain’s iconic forts in a future painting.
Ms Ahmed hopes to spotlight Bahrain’s Formula 1 culture on an international stage.
One of Ms Ahmed’s pieces spotlighting the Ferrari car, set against the Bahrain International Circuit’s grandstand
“My dream would be for the series to gain recognition from the F1 community, drivers, teams, and even His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister,” she said.
“His passion for the sport has made it possible for many Bahrainis like me to grow up with this incredible experience.”
The creative also hopes to eventually exhibit the full collection, ideally, at the BIC.
“I would absolutely love the opportunity to do so once the series is complete,” she added.
Looking beyond the initial 10 pieces, Ms Ahmed has plans for a follow-up series focused on drivers’ helmets or inspired by circuits around the world.
Ms Ahmed with McLaren driver Lando Norris
Given the chance, she would also love to collaborate directly with teams like Ferrari or McLaren and drivers like Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz or Verstappen.
For her, this series is more than just sport or art – it is her personal tribute to how Formula 1 has become part of Bahraini life.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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