Sophia Noor is captivating Bahrain’s art scene with her vibrant creations. Growing from early experiments with acrylics to mastering large-scale oil paintings, the artist is now seeking to expand her artistic presence and explore new opportunities. Edwin D’Souza shares her story.
Sophia Noor is an Indian artist who was born and raised in Bahrain. At just 16, she is already making waves in the local art scene with her unique art which is characterised by bright colours and thick textures.
“I’ve always been drawn to the world of art and often showcase human faces or underwater creatures through my paintings. In fact, my first completed collection, titled Underwater, portrays them in vibrant and sometimes fantastical seascapes,” she says.
Speaking about her artistic journey, she shares that her passion for art began at an early age. “My parents often tell me that I was involved in art since I was a toddler,” she says.
Her father and nanny were instrumental in teaching her the basics of human anatomy, nature and animals, while her mother provided further encouragement. “I’d dip plastic paint brushes into water and watch the colours change in art books or draw flowers and bees with my nanny,” she reminisces.
As she grew older, she honed her skills by watching YouTube tutorials and replicating the work of established artists. She also attended a short online course at the University of the Arts London, which helped her transition to painting on canvases by the time she turned nine. “I started with acrylics which were simple and only required water to thin them, unlike oil paints, which needed turpentine or paint thinner,” she explains. “My early paintings were predominantly created with acrylics, but an art teacher encouraged me to try oil paints and highlighted its advantages.”
“For my first attempt with oils, I followed a Bob Ross tutorial which didn’t quite go as planned, but I didn’t give up. After three years, I managed to switch to oil paints which I believe better suit my artistic goals,” she adds.
Today, her art is often created on large canvases which she chooses based on the impact she wants her compositions to have on the viewer. “I chose to paint on a larger scale to make up for the inexperience in my use of technique. Over time, I developed my ability to scale up efficiently through trial and error, starting with grid methods and later relying on my eye,” she explains.
Recently, Sophia completed an eye-catching painting of Buddha meditating underwater – a project that took over a year to finish. “I am currently a sixth-form student at the British School of Bahrain, and I’m considering pursuing fine arts at university, with institutions like Pratt Institute and RISD in mind. While I am exploring other career options, I dream of being featured in galleries worldwide and possibly opening my own atelier or studio,” she says cheerfully.
Sophia is currently working on a mural at Market Street, in Umm Al Hassam, and is planning a new collection that will stray from her usual style while maintaining her signature bright colours. She plans to participate in several upcoming exhibitions in Bahrain once her new collection is complete.
As she continues to grow as an artist, she is actively seeking gallery opportunities in Bahrain to display her work and is open to painting murals to contribute to Bahrain’s art community.
To explore Sophia’s art, visit sophiafinearts.com
