A mixture of contemporary calligraphy, abstract paintings and bi-lingual poetry will be share at this month’s Elham monthly gathering. The event, on February 23^rd, will be held at Albareh Art Gallery.

Egyptian Bahrain-based artist Jehan Saleh, who has been working with Albareh Art Gallery for the past five years, held her first solo exhibition at the Bahrain Contemporary Art Society last year. Jehan has been a student and observer of the many great artists who have passed through Albareh throughout the years. Her work embodies both sensitivity and transparency that reflect her own personality.

Joining Jehan is a young, bright Bahraini talent. Masooma Al-Noaimi is a 16-year-old student, whose paintbrush knows no limits. Her abstract paintings, filled with vibrant colors, usually speak of her past experiences. Her work will always hold strong and inspiring messages. She has participated in many art fairs and competitions, seeking new experiences to enrich her skills. “After all,” she says. “To me, art is the easiest language and paints are my survival tools”.

Poetry is the other field in which Masooma has ventured into from an early age since the age. She enjoys writing both, English and Arabic Poems. Masooma has also recently started to get behind her camera’s lens more often. Her photography captures the beauty of those unseen moments of everyday life.

Born in New Jersey, Mohammed Elmeshad, was exposed to American culture and literature from an early age. He had his first writing book at the age of five. After spending six years in Egypt during which he began to pen his stories, fiction, prose and doodles, as a teenager. After a short stint in Bahrain, Mohammed returned to the US to persue his higher studies in Washington DC and then spent two years with the Peace Corps in Benin and West Africa. Mohammed is currently “working on a desk in a cubicle in Bahrain”. Mohammed will read some of his fiction at the event.

“We’re always on the lookout for new talent and hope that people make the most of it. We want people who are serious about their art and who are committed, always open to bring in new, fresh ideas and challenge the perception of art and creativity,” Elham founder and organizer Ali Al Saeed said.

Those interested are encouraged to get in touch via email at elhambahrain@yahoo.com. The evening will commence at 7.30pm. All are welcome and entrance is free.