Arab artists: Ibraheem Abu Saad’s versatility reflects his passion for art

Bahraini artist Ibraheem Abu Saad admits his artworks are not easily interpreted as his styles vary from different perspectives he has gained throughout his life that became an integral part of him.

Bahraini artist Ibraheem Abu Saad

“Viewers cannot see the details of my paintings. I look at them through different lenses, and once something touches my soul, it becomes intertwined with me,” said Abu Saad.

Abu Saad is a founding member of the Bahrain Association of Fine Arts and holds a BA in painting from the University of Baghdad’s Fine Arts Department in 1978.

In 1992, Abu Saad completed his design and book arts courses in London.

However, the artist refuses to view knowledge gained from his deep interest in poetry and music as a “project”.

Abu Saad’s artistic personas vary as seen in his paintings: a calligraphist, a poet and a music lover.

Abu Saad’s ability to create masterpieces through his versatility has shown his audience on the way he expresses his inner soul on canvas with the use of strokes of his brush, giving a serene experience as if physically feeling his emotions within the canvas.

Abu Saad, unlike other artists, has introduced his own techniques in crafting art; he uses raw materials that have been used to give emphasis on his tormented heroes, fainting lovers and search for lost hope.

“I take natural materials like sand, pumpkin and turmeric which I soak in water for some time and dry in the sun to be used on a subject to give a visual value,” the Bahraini artist explained.

Abu Saad is currently working as a senior technical specialist for school books at the Ministry of Education.