Bahraini painter uses art to engage community

For Bahraini artist Leena Al Ayoubi, the local culture and particular touches are an integral part of her artwork and her commitment to engaging the community.
Women are the main subject of her paintings and she finds great pleasure in dressing them in traditional Bahraini clothes and enhancing their beauty with Bahraini jewellery.
Leena who reinforced her artistic tendencies by founding Dar Alfann in 2014 said that she was planning a series of artist-led workshops to help promote the art style that enhances the Bahraini and Arabian touch and to organise art exhibitions in Bahrain and abroad.
She is optimistic about the success of the workshops, confident about her skilful aptitudes, rich experience and the good reputation that Dar Alfann has gained.
“I have been painting since I was seven and I have participated in several exhibitions,” Leena said. 
“Dar Alfann was launched three years ago as an artistic project in Manama’s Old Suq at Bab Al Bahrain. It was my first time in displaying my art in public and the experience was successful. I could sense first-hand how much people appreciated art and how art itself can build a large audience,”
Keen on using art to respond to community needs, Leena decided to work hard and differently to provide new elements to the community. Things that the community may not know they wanted.
“I focused on art and made it a business. To me, artwork is not only on canvas or paper. It must not be terribly isolated or frustratingly elitist. It has to reach out to the community, truly engage the community and be part of the community. So, I decided to put art on products that are daily used by members of the community. They can be scarves, notebook covers and laptop sleeves.”
Leena said that the “interesting feedback and great encouragement” motivated her to expand further.
“Today, we have more than 20 varieties of products ranging from daily accessories to household products along with the traditional painting and customisation of art work,” she said. 

Source: Moroccoworldnews