Bahraini artist Shaikha Dwa bint Khalid AlKhalifa has created a series of paintings portraying the architectural beauty of London, while also reimagining its iconic structures by adding a modern twist.
The six-piece personal collection brings to life the Natural History Museum, Selfridges, Liberty, Fortnum and Mason, the Conference Hall and Harrods.
“What sparked the series was simply noticing the beauty of London’s historic buildings and how they have been preserved,” the 37-year-old told the GDN.
Iconic Selfridges flagship store
“They carry fragments of the city’s memory, and I wanted to respond to that sense of endurance and quiet storytelling through architecture.
“London has always been close to my heart. I completed my Master’s in Arts at London Arts University specialising in Fine Arts-Digital, and that period played a big role in shaping who I am as an artist.
“The buildings I chose are not just architectural landmarks, they are also part of my own lived experience of the city, reminders of the time I spent studying, exploring, and absorbing London’s cultural landscape,” she added.
Shaikha Dwa
Elaborating on her first-hand connection with the structures, Ms AlKhalifa noted that Liberty building stood out to her, when she learned about the material it is made of.
Fortnum and Mason upmarket department store
“At first, I didn’t realise that its timber façade came from old Royal Navy ships, and discovering that detail completely changed the way I looked at it. It is a reminder of how history quietly embeds itself in everyday spaces, and how architecture often holds far more than meets the eye.”
Natural History Museum reimagined by the artist
Explaining how she designed her latest creations, the National Arts Council member said she worked mainly by sketching on her iPad, focusing on smaller details like windows, timber and carvings.
“It is about how these elements tell layered stories when you pause to really notice them,” said Shaikha Dwa.
Harrods luxury department store in Knightsbridge, London
“I love using my iPad when I’m on the go, especially while travelling, because it lets me capture impressions quickly and intuitively,” she added, highlighting that the sketches then became the starting point for the works in her London series.
The stunning recreations of London landmarks are Shaikha Dwa’s personal collection and are not currently being showcased.
Liberty store
However, never one to rest on past laurels and always looking for her next artistic adventure, the Lamea Association youth platform chairwoman is set to exhibit other works at the Al Riwaq Art Space residency show this month.
She has been part of the residency programme for the past six months.
“It has been amazing to see how a programme rooted here (in Bahrain) can really help artists grow, evolve, and gain the direction they need to take their practice forward. For me, it gave the confidence and grounding to begin submitting my works to international open calls, which led to being shortlisted for ArtEvol,” she said.
Earlier, Shaikha Dwa had submitted her series ‘Authority of Cultural Compliance’ to the international artist community ArtEvol and was shortlisted for a chance to present her work at the Saatchi Gallery in London. Though she did not make it as a finalist, she said she enjoyed working on the series.
“It’s a body of work that reflects on how culture is evolving and how new rules constantly emerge; sometimes, so curious, they border on parody. The work uses fictional signage to question the systems we create and follow, and how those rules shape our everyday lives,” she revealed.
melissa@gdnmedia.bh
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