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The tie that [doesn’t] bind: Seema Nusrat’s sculptures break from boxed-in art

By Yamna Maqbool

KARACHI: Young artist Seema Nusrat’s work appears as a fresh and innovative approach towards sculptures. She graduated from the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture in 2002 and is also a part of Vasl. Her exhibition titled “There are no two ways about it” began Saturday at the VM Art Gallery and will last till September 2.

The display which consisted of eight sculptures and four drawings was Seema’s personal exploration of figures, drapes and colour. The artist had loosely created the idea of figures and objects and then given her own unique touch to them. Consequently, nothing was designed with precision for an accurate form. One could particularly relate to this style of work because of all the kinds of spectacular shapes noticed everywhere, especially in clouds and smoke.

Seema uses materials of daily use like newspapers, polythene bags, plastic pipes, electric wires and paper rolls for her sculptures. This time she has experimented with neckties. This choice was made during her visit to the lighthouse where she watched several colourful ties being unloaded in bulk.

Every time she noticed a tie falling, she would imagine a different shape in her mind. “I have seen her make imaginary drawings in the air,” said artist and VM Curator Riffat Alvi who felt that the artist’s work was a break from usual sculptures. She labeled it as a kind of recycling.

Instead of murky colours often used to make social comments, Seema’s work served as a breath of fresh air where she had played around with colour. The artist took her inspiration to play with colour from miniature art. Every sculpture illustrated her exploration of various shades of one color.

However, Seema had initially made large charcoal and pencil sketches of drapes and cloth as a starting point. All sculptures at the display were first given a skeletal structure with metal and later covered with neckties.

A sculpture titled ‘Venus de Milo’ was Seema’s interpretation of the Greek goddess of love and beauty. She had used different shades of blue with a few touches of red in this piece. Although one could not see any human figure in the entire structure, the use of two lovely roses on top and the title suggested her point. Seema added that a lot of her inspiration came from art history as well.

‘Yellow Mellow’ was a structure made with all kinds of yellow ties. Seema had marvelously created an irregular figure of a woman without any facial features. Initially the artist noticed human figures from where she began looking at drapes without figures and capturing what she observed.

“Belle I’ and Belle’ II” were two structures created with pleasant shades of pink ties. Although Seema had not used these colours to project a specific idea, the use of pink still accentuated the femininity of the sculptures.

Renowned artist and sculptor Amin Guljee added “Seema has been very sensitive with her materials and I think her work is very good.”

And while her work is often titled ‘soft sculptures’ she argues that: “Sculptures are sculptures and there is no such thing as soft sculptures.”

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