Bahraini Artist Salman Alnajem Explores the Wisdom of the Past
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Salma Hossein
- . October 7, 2024
- . Update: October 7, 2024 6:00 pm
Bahraini painter Salman Alnajem uses heavy industrial materials as his canvas. This unusual choice creates a unique backdrop. According to the Arab News, it allows him to explore themes of ancient civilizations, technology, religion, and mythology.
Alnajem has showcased his work in solo and group exhibitions across Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UK, France, and Italy. He holds a master’s degree in fine art from the Royal College of Art in London.
In his latest project, “Cosmic Perspectives,” Alnajem created a series of small and mid-scale paintings rich in color. He said, “I’m making these paintings on steel that have many religious references. I aim to uncover remnants and clues of ancient civilizations that built magnificent monuments. My goal is to learn from the wisdom of the past to create a better future.”
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His artwork seeks to decode the vast knowledge embedded in ancient symbols. Alnajem often contemplates how and why the Pyramids, Stonehenge, and other monolithic sites were constructed. He wonders about the ancients’ comprehensive understanding of architecture, astronomy, and astrology. In his research, he finds connections among disparate ancient cultures that, despite being hundreds of years apart, seem to tell a similar story in different languages.
Alnajem starts his painting process by compiling images from his research, which he transforms into a collage-like digital sketch. He arranges these images in a way reminiscent of abstract painting, where the placement of a symbol inspires the next step.
He refers to his artistic style as “abstract symbolism.” This approach allows him to disentangle and reassemble complex societal, mythological, and spiritual themes into simple yet harmonious compositions. “I create complex paintings using common symbols from popular culture, contemporary life, and antiquity,” he explained.
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For Alnajem, painting goes beyond creating aesthetically pleasing images; it is a means to generate energy. He believes the role of art is not for the viewer to simply ‘get’ the artwork. Instead, he argues that the artwork should engage the viewer. “When we look at a piece of art, we open our minds to receive it. Art makes us more sensitive. When an artist creates small details that draw us in, we become more attuned to the piece. Art, in its truest form, is an expression of the soul.”
