Designs on wood

Manama : Mustafa Halwachi has a unique interest. He sees artistic expressions in wood pieces. A visit to his workshop at Salmabad gives you the sight of deftly arranged wood pieces on the shelves. From door designs to wall designs, interior designs to a normal chair, the wood art never fails to amaze the viewers. 

A self-made artist, Halwachi extends his artistic talent to canvas, calligraphy and wood art. The 39-year-old Bahraini showed us his vivid range of his artistic talent.  Unlike his peers, who prefer to choose a safe job, Halwachi decided to pursue his art, and learned nuances of the wood carving by observing and with keen perception. 

“Until 2000 I was in Dubai. I wanted to join a vocational school, but somehow I could not complete my professional degree course. As a child, I always watched and followed artists.  I liked to paint, and used canvas as my creative instrument. The inspiration for wood art sprouted in me, when I saw carpenters working in one of my friend’s home,” Halwachi recalled his affair with art. 

“I was so drawn to their artistic gift and the way they modify a piece of wood into a creative art. Later, I used my skill and time in extensive research and learning process. My approach with a practical feel helped me a lot in originating ideas for my work,” he said. 

Though an expert in interior designs, he has dedicated his time in corporate and commercial designs like shops, offices and even home decors. 

Wood art, also known as marque works or scroll works, is a definitive art, wherein two woods are being scrolled and designed to suite the interior decorations. 

“Situation is now changing in the creative world.  During my childhood days, I have seen decorative doors and windows made of wood, which Bahrain only had to claim. People from other places came to Bahrain for carpentry works. But now, everything has changed. No one is coming forward to do such kind of carpentry jobs,” Halwachi rued.