ASC art exhibition opens at University of Bahrain

Manama : The American Studies Centre (ASC) at the University of Bahrain yesterday opened its first art exhibition, which will span for three days until May 4.

The open exhibition allows students from any college to come and enjoy the artworks. Over 100 artworks in five categories including sketches, paintings, photographs, props and poems were put up by 20 students. 

Students and faculty members were equally surprised to witness the extent of amazing talent the students showcased.

“I did not know we had so many talented people,” said ASC Director Dr. David Deller, “It was really impressive, it was the best event we’ve put together thanks to the efforts of the student team. It was very well executed and it really gave people a chance to demonstrate their skills.”

ASC was established in 1998 as a subdivision within the Department of English Language and Literature. It offers courses on American History, Politics and Cultural Studies.

English Language and Literature student Zainab Al Ghawas, who curated the exhibition, opened up about her experience, saying, “Art Exhibitions are mediums between artists and art lovers. ASC’s art exhibition was successful in creating that kind of connection between both sides. It gives artists a chance to put their work out there and get feedback from art lovers.”

“Our first Art Exhibition was successful mainly because of the team work by ASC members. And thanks to the positive feedback from visitors, I hope next year’s exhibition will be even more successful.”

One of the sketch artists, Hasan Al Noaimi, said, “I never thought this many people would actually like my art. I’ve been drawing for around three years and I’ve already exhibited my art once last year at the university, but this exhibition was really amazing unlike the previous one that wasn’t very well put together.”

Talking about his art, the artist said, “My art as a whole is based on an emotion, each one representing something that I feel. For example, the skull with the flower is based on the emotions I got after listening to the song “Vanity and Rot” by Lacey Sturm. My art is a tool of expression that I wield whenever I can’t express myself.”

Meanwhile, one of the photographers and American Studies Minor student, Shaikha Al Subaei, said, “My photography displays a different way of looking at things and details of the country I am studying about, which is the United States. I think it is important to emphasise the beauty in everything that we see.”