Artist highlights beauty in women in cross-generation exhibition debut

Manama, Apr. 25 (BNA): Even before she turns 19, Layal Al Thawadi has fulfilled one of her major dreams – Displaying her artwork in an exhibition. And the dream was sweeter because her mother, Dayana Al Shaikh, and her grandfather, Ali Al Shaikh, both accomplished artists, also showed their artwork in the same exhibition, "Generations". Dayana, a triple cancer fighter, who has achieved fame through her work and a successful exhibition in 2015 to help young patients, said that she thought about the cross-generation exhibition as an opportunity to bring different styles used by herself, her father and her daughter together. At the exhibition, the father has five paintings in his favourite Cubism style that reflects his passion for geometric shapes and his rejection of the concept that artists should adopt the traditional techniques of perspective, modeling, and foreshortening. His work, in which he uses oil colours, distances itself from the idea that art should copy nature. "I have 10 paintings that reflect the various styles I have adopted for my artwork," Dayana said. Her passion for the traditional, modernism and calligraphy bring the styles together to co-exist in peace and harmony. Both father and daughter agree that Layal, the architecture college student who was making her debut on the public arts scene, was a great surprise and a source of pride for all. Layal's acrylic drawings are a testimony to the beauty of women as they show specific emotions that she impressively captured. "I loved all the paintings by Layal because they showed a deep reflection on the strength and fortitude that women have," Osama, a visitor, said. "I cannot believe that they were the work of a young woman. She is really talented, and I look forward to admiring more of her drawings soon." Donning a black mesh and lace dress and oozing confidence, Layal stood next to her paintings, beaming with pride as she was constantly complimented on her artwork. "I love the way she portrayed the beauty of women who had Arabian features and wore pretty earrings," Fatima, another visitor, said, pointing to one of the drawings. "There is a trace of sadness, but it is mainly self-confidence and a message of hope. The dominant blue colour is wonderful as it augments the sense of calmness."