b. 1974, Muharraq, Bahrain; lives and works in Bahrain

Marwa Al Khalifa is a mixed media artist and photographer. She is well-versed in painting and also experiments with light box installation and photographic imagery in her work. Al Khalifa incorporates different materials and techniques to create works that reflect a sense of spirituality, encouraging the observer to contemplate and embark on a personal voyage.

In Yellow & Blue, Al Khalifa captures photographs of leaves floating on a garden pool. She then transforms these images into abstract patterns, resembling mosaic tile work seen in Moroccan art or the vivid blue tones reminiscent of David Hockney’s iconic swimming pool paintings. Al Khalifa’s inspiration stems from her admiration for Hockney’s work, particularly his documentation of the four seasons, his ability to capture the beauty of fallen leaves and snowy pathways and the striking contrast between yellow and blue. Blue holds a special significance for Al Khalifa as it evokes the landscapes of Bahrain, with its clear skies and surrounding water, creating a connection between the colors, swimming, and the presence of water in her artistic expression.

Al Khalifa has been President of the Bahrain Arts Society since 2022 and has showcased her art locally and internationally, gaining recognition with exhibitions like Assilah 2014 for pushing artistic boundaries. In 2015, Al Khalifa received the Bronze Palm Award at the 3rd Visual Arts Forum for GCC Artists in Doha. Her work was part of the CARAVAN’s I AM exhibit, touring from Jordan to the UK and USA in 2017 and 2018. She has an executive master’s degree in cultural leadership from the Royal Academy of Arts in London and the University of Maastricht in 2021.