Beyond the Surface

Four young Bahraini artists reveal the emotions, identity and dreams behind their powerful creations

TDT | Manama

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The Bahrain Arts Society officially opened its Youth Art Exhibition yesterday, bringing together 30 emerging artists and four sculptures in a celebration of Bahrain's next generation of creative talent.

Held at the Bahrain Arts Society Hall in Injaz Bahrain, Umm Al Hassam, the exhibition will continue until 28 July. It will be open to visitors from Sunday to Thursday, 9am to 3pm, starting from 5 July, inviting the public to discover the artistic visions of Bahrain's young talents.

Speaking exclusively to The Daily Tribune, participating artists shared the inspiration behind their works, each exploring themes ranging from hidden emotions and cultural identity to freedom, inner conflict and peace.

Artist Eman Aljar, who has been painting since the age of six, presented her artwork titled On Earth, which compares the human soul to the earth itself.

"When you look at a person, you may see someone who is happy and glowing," she said. "But when you look deeper into their soul, you may find heartbreak, pain or memories they have never been able to forget."

She explained that just as the earth appears beautiful on the surface with trees and flowers while volcanoes lie beneath, people often hide emotional wounds behind smiling faces. Pink and green symbolise the beauty of nature and life, while brown represents the scars people carry within.

Artist Ahmed Abdulredha showcased two handcrafted wooden artworks inspired by Arabic calligraphy, expressing his concern over the declining use of the Arabic language.

"My second piece reflects how the Arabic language is gradually shrinking in use, even within Arab communities today," he said.

Every wooden letter and design element was cut and assembled by hand, with the two artworks taking nearly two weeks to complete. Having studied interior design, He said his choice of colours was influenced by design principles while his passion remains presenting Arabic calligraphy in fresh artistic forms.

"I love highlighting the beauty of Arabic calligraphy through different artistic styles rather than presenting it in its traditional form," he added.

Meanwhile, artist Aayat Khalid presented two paintings exploring dreams and personal struggles.

Her first artwork portrays a woman spreading her dress like wings, creating the impression that she is about to fly alongside the dove above her. Painted using soft oil colours, the piece represents freedom, ambition and hope while creating a dreamy atmosphere.

Her second painting, The Sun and the Moon, is a fantasy artwork symbolising confusion and inner conflict.

"The painting represents feeling lost when someone has two choices but doesn't know which path to take," she explained.

The work is divided into warm and cool colour palettes, reflecting the contrast between good and evil, desires and reason, and the emotional struggle many people experience when making difficult decisions.

Artist Deena Radhi exhibited a painting titled Peace, inspired by her own emotions and outlook on life.

"I chose colours that represent peace and new beginnings," she said. "It shows a girl drinking coffee during the winter season while thinking positively about the future."

She added that the painting took one week to complete because it reflected her feelings at that moment, allowing her to express them through art.

The exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to experience the diverse perspectives of Bahrain's emerging artists, highlighting how art can transform personal experiences, emotions and cultural values into powerful visual storytelling.