‘Identity Borders’ exhibition showcases Arab culture

Manama: A group of local and regional artists showcased their artworks at Al Riwaq Gallery last night, wherein they captured key elements of the Middle Eastern cultural elements that defined the  Arab cultural identities.

The art exhibition, titled ‘Identity Borders,’ was held under the patronage of Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, in collaboration with Art Bahrain magazine.

The exhibition was based on the theme of evolving social and cultural identities in the Gulf region that influence one another. Eleven artists, who participated in the event, filled the gallery with artworks covering diverse subjects.

The artists, most of whom are from Bahrain and Saudi, included Ahmed Ezz, Isa Swain, Hussain Ali, Jassim Al Dhamin, Jenine Sherabi, Meshal Al Obaidallah, Nouf Al Semari, Samar M, Sara Qaed, Seema Abdullah and Skna Hassan.

It is the first time that Saudi artist Skna Hassan has exhibited her artwork in Bahrain. She confirmed her love for the Kingdom as well as the art gallery as it has served her a great opportunity to showcase her art. Her art installation called ‘Group Evidences’ was themed on foeticides.

Speaking to DT News about the significance of her artwork, she explains, “As an artist, it is important for me to highlight this issue as I want to stop this form of violence. Unfortunately, this is a practice that continues to happen in our region.”

“I wish to address more such issues concerning the future of humanity with the support of art galleries like Al Riwaq,” she added.

Bahraini artist Sara Qaed executed a more cartoonish style on her drawings based on her experience as an editorial cartoonist. Exhibiting her artwork called ‘Thursday Night’, she showcased the pictures of women holding hands and creating barriers in the street in a bid to explore how this gesture of protest could be translated to everyday tasks.

Explaining about her art, she said, “Every art piece of this work is open to reflecting different personalities of the women characters in my drawing. This sketch kept on developing into different patterns and each frame carries diverse emotional characters.”