Painter makes nature sparkle on silk

Find your fish, cat, zebra or butterfly on silk, says Sinikka Ahokas-Grohn whose silk painting exhibition is on until April 20 at the American Veterinary Clinic (AVC) in Abu Dhabi.

The exhibition is being held to coincide with AVC's new cattery facility on Thursday.

And the event was complete with the Feline Friends Open Day where cats looking for homes were on show.

"It is interesting to have an exhibition in a place where people don't expect to see art on display," explains Sinikka.

"And visitors to the AVC are more likely to appreciate pictures that depict animals."

Sinikka's silk paintings are vibrant and colourful.

Visions of the local landscape and popular Arabic scenes are created using the shimmering texture of silk which gives life to even everyday objects such as a pair of shoes or a group of pots.

The mixture and detail of colours painted on the bright silk material clearly describe the nature of the region - a stray cat in Abu Dhabi, the changing colours of the desert sand or sails sighted on the breakwater.

Although a master of the silk technique, Sinikka now includes glittering diamantes to create more depth to her pictures.

"My style is beginning to change," Sinikka says.

"An example is the use of small jewels that I found in the souk; they sparkle under the lights and give the picture a unique and a different feel."

Most of the ideas for her canvas come from her imagination. The fish were initially inspired by a snorkelling holiday in Khor Fakkan five years ago.

"In Finland, the water and the fish are dark but the fish in Khor Fakkan are so colourful," Sinikka says, "It's so relaxing to be just floating there and watching them."

Sinikka has participated in many group exhibitions in Abu Dhabi and Finland.

Soon, promises the artist, Sinikka's Gallery will be a reality for the public to view her works.