Sculpting a fine future

Art has always been a part of his life but it's the teachings of the Holy Quran that have inspired the work of Bahraini artist Khalid Farhan, whose successful career began only five years ago.

He graduated (Bachelors in Arts Education) at the top of his class in Cairo University, Egypt, and has also won a prestigious award from the same university. Farhan participated in an Annual Art Exhibition organised for art students from all over Egypt in 1988, where he won the second prize for his sculpture.

"After receiving the prize my whole direction in the art field got focussed on sculptures," he told Gulf News. "I studied many art forms - from oil painting, etching to pottery - but it was sculpture that caught my attention. But I wasn't confident about embarking into this field until I won the competition."

He began with tiny sculptures, only 20cm high. But all that has now changed for the young artist. "I am currently working on a 13 metre long sculpture using wood."

Farhan mainly uses wood because it is the most common resource available in Bahrain.

He also participated in last year's Annual Art Exhibition organised by the Ministry of Information that brings together professional and amateur Bahraini artists to compete for top prizes.

"One of my works, which was 12 metres high, was bought by the Ministry of Information." The themes used in his work are based on the teachings of the Holy Quran.

"I use the normal hammer and chisel method for my work. It is more precise but tiring as well. I am light built but due to the constant hammering I've built some muscles." Most of his time is spent working as he puts in four hours a day, seven days a week for three to four months straight.

Farhan also likes to devote time to view the work of international and regional artists. "My favourites are Egyptian artist Sabri Nashid, Iraqi Mohammed Hekmat, Picasso and Henry Moore."

Besides the Holy Quran he also draws inspiration from daily life, which can be poetry, dreams or women.

At present, he is working at a furious pace to complete as many works as possible since he hopes to organise another solo exhibition.

"It will take me at least another four years to hold a solo exhibition. An artwork takes me three to four months to complete." He has completed 35 items and hopes to do many more.

"My dream is to have a monument not only in Bahrain but somewhere exotic as well."