Art is subjective. But every artist needs to be given credit where credit is due. And Bahrain has no shortage of talented artists specializing in various mediums. So we thought we could shine a spotlight on some of these artists, in a segment called Local Artist of the Week In Spotlight. Our next feature? A member of Art Attack Krew, Marwa Bu Asalli.
Marwa Bu Asalli is a realism and surrealist artist. Let’s take a dive into her mind.
Local Artist of the Week
• Could you give our readers a general introduction about yourselves?
I am Marwa, an 18yr old passionate artist and I am proud to call myself a member of ATK. Art is creating, and I’ve been a creator ever since I was a little child. To me, art is being one with your surroundings and representing that oneness through creating. Art allows me to self-induce a mode of consciousness. The Universe and art is an artistic voyage through space. Each element has a unique color that vibrationally corresponds with one or more of the seven chakras in our body.
• How and Why did you join Art Attack Krew?
I was introduced to ATK by one of the greatest artists I know, AYFU. He told me about the concept behind the Art Attack Krew and I was immediately intrigued. The group consists of passionate artists that each entails a different story and would love to share their passion with the world. Honestly, ATK inspires me to continue making art every day. Every time I spend with them reminds me of my love and passion for art and pushes me to pursue my dream as an artist and creator.
• What’s your background?
My love for art never really started at a certain age. Ever since I was born I knew I had a passion for art. That is what led me to be an artist today that enjoys creating all kinds of art. I can still capture my young self coloring in my sketchbook. I recall I was unable to fathom how these little pencils can capture the colors that I see in the beautiful creations around me. That moment marked my passion for drawing the details of my surroundings and the beautiful features we humans have through art. This changed my perspective of the universe. I stopped perceiving things by interpreting all the sensory information at my disposal but rather I started viewing things in their simplest and purest form; A collection of different hues and a body of organic and geometric shapes. Hence, I drastically started improving my realism and opening my eyes to details in my everyday world. This later allowed me to become the young ambitious artist I am today.
• Could you tell us a little about your process? How an idea ultimately becomes a finished piece?
My process really starts with my mind. I imagine a scenario that I would love to paint or a concept I would love to share with the world. Then I try to inspire ideas by researching the theme of the painting I am trying to paint and I then bring it to life. A lot of my paintings are referenced through either my photography or imagination so depending on my intention I would create my process. A lot of the time I feel inspired by other photographers or artists or nature and I use that as fuel for my creativity and create what I feel resonates with my art piece. Sometimes I sketch in my sketchbook before I jump into the canvas and sometimes I just dive straight into it. Currently, I am not specifically finding admiration in a certain artist. I look up to many artists but recently I have been in admiration of nature and the tangible and intangible things around us. I try to find inspiration from real life before diving into social media or other outlets to find inspiration.
• Who are three artists you’d like to be compared to?
One thing I admire about many artists is creating a legacy and every day I see more and more people aiming to share their art with the world. One of the artists that truly inspire me is Abbas Al Musawi, I was truly in awe of his art and his love for it when I visited his gallery and drew with him. Another artist I truly look up to is AYFU and the Art Attack Krew. They truly push me every day to create more inspiring work and to spread my passion to the world.
•What wouldn’t you do without?
I can’t even imagine an answer to this question because even though it sounds cliche but truly my life has no value without art. I believe everything around us is art because art starts from a change in perspective before the grasp of a brush. Therefore I cannot imagine life without art.
•What memorable responses have you had to your work?
The most memorable response I had with my work is when people tell me that my art inspires them. My art expresses my artistic consciousness and I aim to inspire that to my viewer’s so hearing that my art delivered a message makes all the sleepless nights of drawing and painting worth it. I also recall another memorable experience when the ministry of youth sports and affairs was admiring my artworks. I truly felt very honored and I felt like I am slowly but surely achieving my dream which is to inspire art within everyone and to deliver a message through my art pieces.
•What role do you think art plays in society?
I think societies are built with the foundation of art. We all are artists and we came into this world to express it whether it be through painting or working at a certain job or creating music whatever it may be we are creative beings. There is art in everything. We hold so much power with our universal human creativity but some people are just not aware of it yet. It makes me sad sometimes that some people lose touch with their inner artists but that is what I aim to inspire through my art. I wish to spark that little light within all of us that yearns to become an artist.
•There is an old saying, “All good art comes from misery”. Do you agree?
I personally feel like art comes from vulnerability. Now some people feel the most vulnerable when they are going through a tough time and other people feel most vulnerable when they are at their peak with their happiness. Personally, I enjoy painting at all times. I don’t think there is a perfect or imperfect time to hold a brush and let go of reality for a second.
Making the surreal real!
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