Self-discovery through art
Thajba Najeeb was born and brought up in Bahrain, graduating from Ibn Khuldoon National School in Bahrain and Bachelors in Fine Arts in Dubai. An early part of her career involved specialising in Interior Design in Dubai, but it was only when she returned and worked in Bahrain as an Interior Designer, she realised that interior designing was not a profession she enjoyed.
She later found herself coming back to her high school IKNS teaching arts in the International Baccalaureates visual arts programme. After four years of teaching, she decided to give interior designing another try, but it became very apparent that teaching arts was in in fact her true calling more than ever.
During this six-year process of self-discovery, Thajba grew even more comfortable with her passion in arts and ended up starting Artology Bahrain with her sister. Artology Bahrain is a dedicated space for expression, discovery and creativity. Thajba has some of her art sheltered in places like her sketchbook ‘Coffee and Cigarettes’ that rests in the Brooklyn Arts Library, New York. She had her first show outside the GCC region at the Artist Colony Commune in Karachi called ‘Locks and Keys’ and was involved in a collaborative work called ‘400-Year-Old Door’; a visual dialogue between Thajba and Karachi-based artist Yousuf Bashir Qureshi. She also has her ‘Love Affair’ mural displayed at the Bahrain Financial Harbour.
How did Thajba discover herself through art?
Since 15, Thajba has been dabbling in art, but it wasn’t really until six years ago when she jumped into the art world with full force and took herself seriously as an artist.
Speaking to DT News, she said, “It is in this journey that I have seen my true self, having rediscovered myself as the face of colour. When I took a break from teaching arts, I realised that I missed the connection I had with visual arts, critical thinking, critiques sessions, discussions and even the connection with my students. That’s when it hit me that this was my true calling.”
Explaining what means to her be an artist with the power of self-expression, Thjba said, “Art is an expression; every brush stroke, colour, layer and texture is an expression; an expression I am showing you. My art is nostalgic; a connection I am rekindling with a city I yearn for, a relation I want to rebuild and a notion that is engrained in me. I have gone through a series of works dedicated to searching for my metaphysical key and my ongoing love affair with Lahore. I work with mixed media and have never limited myself to a certain technique. I used pencil, charcoal, chalk, paint, acrylic, gouache, wall paints, watercolour, ink, fabric, glue, spray paint and gold leafing.”
Thajba then goes on to explain the challenge of time in her life as an artist and as a woman with responsibilities. “My biggest challenge is time. I have a family, husband, children, sisters, brothers, extended family and friends that demand time. I wish I had an extra hour every day as I find it very difficult at times to create a balance between my work, family, travel and my art.”
The anticipation of Artology
Thajba Najeeb explains her journey growing with Artology Bahrain and developing its space and concept.
“Artology Bahrain started as a space of expression and withholds this name. We teach, explore, discover, educate, describe, love, and create art. Artology Bahrain is my space, her space, his space and your space. My sister Reem Najeeb and I defined this space to be unrestricted. It developed into a space of expression, creativity and exploring in an environment where one was not judged and art was not measured only by skill, but also by passion, concept and drive.”
With her growing inspiration for art, Thajba poetically expresses, “My inspirations stem from poetry. I find the power of word fascinating and the irony of human interpretation amusing. I get inspired by a good cup of tea, the sound of the bird, the smell of wet sand and walking barefoot, all nostalgic moments from my childhood. I get inspired by conversations with my mother, her strength and my connection with her. One thing I would like to tell all artists is to be honest and truthful, work to your heart’s desire, not because you think it will give you fame or money, but because this is what your heart desires; the ability to create without hesitation.”
Thajba is currently working on ‘My Beautiful Mess’, a night series of her love affair with Lahore. She is looking forward to have more exhibitions, workshops, live paintings and murals in the future and invites everyone to experience this love affair at her Artology Bahrain studio in Sar.
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