Leena Al Ayoobi is a Bahraini artist, designer, and founder and owner of Dar Alfann Gallery. Bahraini-born and raised, Al Ayoobi has been a gifted artist from a young age. As a child, she was fascinated with Japanese anime that used to air on local TV channels. She mastered the art of drawing anime characters which influenced her later pieces. Her style can now be described as a fusion between Japanese manga and Bahraini folklore from a decidedly feminine perspective.
Leena Al Ayoobi is a Bahraini artist, designer, and founder and owner of Dar Alfann Gallery. Bahraini-born and raised, Al Ayoobi has been a gifted artist from a young age. As a child, she was fascinated with Japanese anime that used to air on local TV channels. She mastered the art of drawing anime characters which influenced her later pieces. Her style can now be described as a fusion between Japanese manga and Bahraini folklore from a decidedly feminine perspective.
1. What does celebrating Bahraini Women’s Day mean for you in your work and life?
The day is an opportunity to celebrate Bahraini women’s accomplishments throughout the year. This year Bahraini women have achieved a lot, the highlight of their accomplishment is the increased number of women in the parliament this year voted for in Bahrain.
2. How do you balance your career, personal life, and passions? Is there such a thing as balance?
This would be the most difficult kind of balance in life. I believe a combination of time management and prioritisation helps achieve the best results possible.
3. What do you think is the most significant barrier to women’s success in your field?
There are many challenges that face women in the corporate world and other fields. In my personal experience, I would say being a working mom is a significant challenge. The demand from the workplace and the demand from the schools often require individual attention that can create several blocks along the way.
4. How do you think women can better support other women across fields?
There are many ways to support women, the most common one is to be a part of communities and support groups that encourage women’s empowerment.
During my NFT journey, I have come across many women empowerment projects where NFT holders have exclusive access to NFT communities led by powerful women in various fields. As an NFT holder, you have the opportunity to network with fellow members of the community for consultations and one-on-one business advice.
5. As a woman professional, who is your inspiration?
My mom has always been my inspiration. She represents a handful of those hardworking women who mastered the balance between career and family life. I only realised the challenges she may have faced after walking a mile in her shoes.
6. What advice would you give your younger self on overcoming challenges and achieving success in what you do?
This question has always been the hardest to answer, I believe everything I have gone through in my life and still going through has made me who I am today. I would go through challenges the way I did because it got me where I needed to be today.