The Republic of Egypt recently marked World Tourism Day with a celebration featuring 50 international artists. Representing the Kingdom of Bahrain was the renowned artist, Mona Elrubi. She speaks to Farah Baig about her experience at the event, her art, and the role of culture in propelling a country’s tourism.
I consider myself a mother, educator, and artist. It has taken a lot of work to be able to see myself in that light.”
For 25 years, Mona Elrubi worked as a teacher at an international school, and as a coordinator for UNESCO. “Being an educator had a significant impact on my personality while working with UNESCO ignited my humanity; two aspects that are reflected through my eclectic art,” says Ms. Elrubi.
“As a coordinator for UNESCO, my job was to transform the organisation’s ideas and principles into interactive programmes for children, such as World Peace Day, acceptance of others, and concepts for children with disabilities. It’s important for students to understand these principles through activities that take root in their minds. It was for these ideas that I won an honour from the Minister of Education in 2016,” she narrates.
When it comes to art, she first felt drawn to the mode of expression in the 90s and finally put brush to canvas in the year 2000. “I felt the need to express myself, express my opinion, emotions, and feelings. This was not always acceptable for various reasons, but art enabled me to openly express my perspective, intellectual orientation, and sense of rebellion,” she explains.
Ms. Elrubi’s art, which includes digital art and acrylic paintings, falls under the expression school of art and explores society, human rights and justice.
“One central feature in my art is the ability to bring life to emotions and shed light on humanity,” she says. “The art I create brings forth feelings of joy and sometimes feelings of repulsion, while some of my art could bring forth a sense of awe or a sense of fear. Most importantly I use my art to enlarge the scope of freedom.”
Art enthusiasts in and around the region have set their eyes on Mona’s art with her having exhibited her work at galleries in Bahrain, the GCC, Tunisia, Jordan, Egypt, Spain and India. “Notably, in 2022, I received an invitation from the Ministry of Culture in the Kingdom of Jordan to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding. Such an important event in the history of the country and they nominated one of my art pieces to be exhibited alongside select artists from all over the world,” she says joyfully.
Adding to her milestone achievements, she was recently chosen to represent Bahrain in Egypt at the World Tourism Day 2023 celebration in September. The event was held at Marsa Allam City, under the auspices of Egypt’s Ministry of Culture Fine Arts Department and featured 50 fine artists from 22 countries.
“The seven-day event was a mind-opening experience; it showed the impact that art has not only on a cultural level but also on an industrial and economical level,” she says.
“During this experience we had the opportunity to visit several monuments and tourism attractions. We spent a full day at the Red Sea, and another at Luxor, and were given a historical brief of the monuments. We also experienced a lavish sea side space where we could create art. Finally, on the day of the exhibition, major business figures and art collectors attended,” she adds.
With Manama being named the capital of Gulf Tourism for 2024, she believes that there is a plethora of ideas, projects and events which could play a significant role. “We must collaborate with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) and the Ministry of Information to highlight and further rejuvenate the tourism industry in the kingdom,” she says.
“We need to bring the Kingdom’s rich heritage, stories, culture, music, traditional attire, crafts, jewellery and traditions which were relevant during the Delmonian era into the spotlight. This would create a platform for local and international artists to come together to reflect their understanding and appreciation for the eternal civilisation,” she emphasises.
Commenting on the Kingdom’s art scene, she concludes: “The art movement in Bahrain emerged in 1952 with the establishment of art and literature clubs and communities. Since then, Bahrain’s artists have proved to be shining stars on an international level in the art community.”
To view more of Mona’s art, follow @mona_elrubi on Instagram for more information.
