Catch it while you can. See the latest exhibition from one of Bahrain’s favourite creatives, Anil Sharma.

For as long as he can remember, Anil Sharma has been fascinated by landscapes and the interplay between nature and the built environment. More often than not, he can be found with paintbrush in hand on a seemingly uninspiring street corner or crouched at a seldom visited waterfront, capturing in watercolour the beauty he sees before him, a beauty that many may walk past without a second glance. While other subject matter – portraiture and still life – are something he also enjoys, the complex relationship between the human and natural world is a constant source of inspiration for Anil, pushing the boundaries of his use of colour and light to create visual impact and capture the essence of ever-changing land and seascapes.

The painter, who came to Bahrain from India in 2018, has more than 25 years of experience, he is a mentor and coach for artists of all ages locally, helping them to achieve their fullest potential. He has also been Art Director of Paint & Palette Art Studio in Bahrain.

He says: “After coming to Bahrain I was affected and inspired by its nature and beauty and the climate, which is totally different from India. Skyscraper buildings, sea, winds, palm trees and culture… so wherever and whenever I visited different parts of the city, I painted those areas. My moto was to receive from nature and return back to our society.”

Anil’s island-inspired works are on show in his latest solo exhibition ‘Bahrain Boulevard’, which is open at Harbour Gate, Bahrain financial Harbour, until August 8.

He adds: “Increasingly, I am drawn to study the interface between the ancient and modern in Bahrain. For example, we see skyscrapers making bold, dramatic statements across natural seascapes that predictably change with the ebb and flow of the tide, while a traditional dhow cuts a strikingly small, yet powerful, image as it gently traverses a scene. As I explore the island on foot with my paints always close by, I am motivated to capture these images on canvas as a time capsule of the then juxtaposed with the now – I have come to adore these Bahraini Boulevards which form the basis of this exhibition.” ✤

GO: CALL 3605 0965 OR EMAIL ARTBYANIL@GMAIL. COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.