In 2023 we learned that my father’s kidneys were failing. Early this year, on January 30, I learned that I was going to be a grandmother. Since then, my life teetered between glee and despair, hope and desperation, sadness and joy. One would be born, the other would die. For almost a year, the two events unfolded in tandem and the parallels between them were uncanny. My grandson was born on September 30 and my dad died on December 6. They existed in the same world for 62 days. My grandson, my father. One came, one went. Both, Maryam’s son.

Gardening holds a special place in my heart. The spaces I inhabit are never without houseplants. I’m constantly amazed by how these plants, though confined to pots in enclosed interiors, would grow to immense sizes in their native environments—sometimes large enough to dwarf homes. This contrast makes me reflect on how space influences our own growth and the decisions we make. Indoor gardening, for me, has become a way of inviting nature into our homes, an ongoing dialogue between the organic and the inanimate, unfolding within the limitations of interior space.

In his City Lights series, Mohamed Abla transforms the urban landscape into a vibrant tapestry of energy and rhythm. The works capture the glow, pulse, and fleeting beauty of cities at night, where light becomes both subject and symbol—reflecting human presence, movement, and memory. Abla’s brushstrokes invite viewers to feel the atmosphere of the city, not just see it, offering a poetic meditation on modern life illuminated by its own brilliance.

Built Elsewhere presents a series of bronze sculptures and silkscreen prints that examine the conceptual tensions surrounding home, memory and identity within the context of diasporic presence. Rather than reconstructing a singular place or origin, Rim Albahrani works through abstraction to propose spatial forms shaped by memory, movement, and shifting contexts. These are not representations of architecture, but spatial propositions shaped by psychological orientation and lived experience. The sculptures are grounded yet slightly off center, holding emotion through quiet imbalance. In parallel, the prints function as impressions, visual traces of structures recalled, imagined or partially forgotten. This work aligns with broader conversations about how space and belonging are shaped through experience, relation and the refusal of fixed narratives. Rim Albahrani constructs meaning through repetition, open form, and the tension between structure and memory. While certain theoretical ideas may echo in the background, they are not central. It remains committed to a visual language that holds ambiguity, invites reflection and resists the need for definition. Built Elsewhere approaches form as a mode of reflection. It holds presence, relation, and quiet transformation. Rather than seeking certainty, the work remains open and suggests that belonging is shaped through gestures that lean, shift, and stay attentive to change. These forms trace the ongoing construction of self, memory and place.

Folk Art Space proudly presents “Klay Kassam,” an exhibition that celebrates the distinctive art of Klay Kassam. The exhibition open it’s door for visitors starting [16,17,18 Feb 2025] till [5th March 2025] at Folk Art Space exhibition area in Sehla, Kingdom of Bahrain. Klay Kassam is an Egyptian artist renowned for blending the richness of Egyptian heritage with contemporary abstract techniques. His work invites viewers into a world of bold colors and dynamic shapes, each piece a tribute to Egypt's visual legacy through modern artistic expression. Born in 1977, Kassam holds a Ph.D. in Fine Arts from Alexandria University, where he later taught as a professor. His unique artistic journey has taken him to solo and group exhibitions across Egypt and the globe. “‘Klay Kassam’ reflects a powerful dialogue between heritage and innovation,” says the Folk Art Space team. The exhibition is open to the public, promising an immersive experience for art enthusiasts and cultural lovers alike.

An exhibition spotlighting the powerful work of artist Salman Najim. Known for his deeply introspective art, Najim explores the inner mind and subconscious, drawing inspiration from Carl Jung’s active imagination techniques. For the past eight years, Najim has devoted himself to creating an impressive body of work rooted in Jungian principles. Through active imagination, Najim brings his innermost visions to life, producing a remarkable collection of over 2,800 pieces that capture the hidden landscapes of the mind and imagination. Each piece invites the audience to explore Najim’s unique perspective and personal journey, making this an immersive experience, moving from vibrant dreamscapes to tranquil abstract forms