ShareOver the course of a month, Kuwaiti artist Ghadah Alkandari transformed the Kuwait Times warehouse into a deeply personal art exhibition, set to run from Thursday to Friday. “It was like making the place my home,” she said warmly. At first, she wasn’t sure where to begin. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do until I sat in the space, and they got me a desk. I love desks,” she shared, her voice brimming with affection for the small moments that sparked her creativity.
From that humble starting point, ideas began to flow, and the space came alive with her touch. “I could see it transforming; I could see it becoming me.” Her art found a home on an array of surfaces — canvases, rugs, couches and even unconventional materials. “Well, it’s just any surface that I have, I’ll infest it. I’m like a virus,” she added with a laugh.
At the core of her work is Eve, a recurring character representing various aspects of Alkandari’s identity and emotions. “Eve is someone who protects me, someone I can hide behind, and someone who gives me security,” she explained. While Eve is a constant presence in her art, she is never the same. “There are infinite Eves,” Alkandari said. “I love creating the faces — they all look different to me, with unique personalities. It’s always fascinating to see how she emerges. I never know what she’ll become.”
Her connection to Eve began in childhood when drawing became her way of daydreaming and imagining a different life. “I never had a sister — I have one now — but for 17 years, I didn’t. So, I would create one in my art,” she recalled.
The exhibition’s title, Pretty Green Bullet, carries deep personal significance. “I like to be both masculine and feminine. It felt like a very balanced name,” Alkandari explained. This marks her first Pretty Green Bullet exhibition since 2012 — a return she felt was long overdue. “I’ve been putting my art out on Instagram and online for so long,” she reflected.
Hosting this exhibition offered her a chance to reconnect with her audience in a tangible, interactive way. “It’s more playful, and it invites people to touch and explore. I want them to feel the way I do when I leave this space or when I take the photos I enjoy sharing — it feels good,” she said.
The exhibition is more than an art display — it’s a deeply personal window into Alkandari’s soul. “This isn’t about Ghadah Alkandari, the adult version. It’s about Ghadah, the child who plays, explores and embraces endless possibilities,” she shared, capturing the boundless spirit that fuels her creative journey.
However, Alkandari acknowledges that this playful side has been overshadowed in recent months by the escalating events of October 7 in Palestine. “It took me a long time to bring back the playful person,” she admitted, reflecting on the emotional toll these events have taken.
The exhibition also reflects her unwavering support for Palestine, a cause central to her values. “I don’t call it supporting Palestine. It’s our duty. It’s part of growing up,” she stated firmly. Her commitment is not just symbolic but actionable. “I couldn’t have something without including Palestine. Fifteen percent of the profits from this exhibit will go to a Palestinian family I’m supporting and to the Palestinian Culture Center,” Alkandari revealed, underscoring her dedication.
