Bahraini artist brings Isa Town’s cooling walkways on global stage

TDT | Manama

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From Isa Town’s walkways to an international gallery, Bahrain’s first misting system comes alive through the brush of Bahraini artist Buthaina Ghanem Shaheen.

Shaheen, from the Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture, recently took part in the international exhibition “Art Between Man and Machine” at the Fujairah Fine Arts Academy in the UAE, showcasing a work inspired by Bahrain’s first public water misting system for walkways and parks, introduced by the Southern Governorate Municipality in 2022 to improve public spaces.

Located at Isa Town’s rubberized walkway, the project uses eco-friendly misting nozzles to cool public spaces, providing pedestrians with a refreshing environment.

Solutions

As Bahrain’s first system of its kind, it marks a pioneering step in sustainable outdoor solutions, particularly for sports and recreational areas.

Beyond traditional canvases, Shaheen brings her art to life on pieces of pine wood, letting the natural grain and texture become part of the story she tells.

This technique reflects her commitment to blending the natural environment with her artistic vision, a philosophy that also underpins her depiction of Bahrain’s first public misting system.

Shaheen’s journey as an artist has been equally compelling.

Known for her distinguished portraits of national figures, including His Highness the Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, his honorable sons, and Her Royal Highness Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty the King, she has continuously evolved her practice.

Moving from portraiture to conceptual and environmentally themed works, she embraces projects that blend societal relevance with artistic expression.

By showcasing Bahrain’s first eco-friendly public cooling system internationally, Shaheen shows that municipal projects can inspire creativity, dialogue, and cultural pride.

Her work encourages viewers to see how art, technology, and sustainability can coexist, reflecting Bahrain’s innovative spirit through her unique artistic vision.