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Painting, photography show opens in Saidpur

‘Art Attack’ brings real culture of Pakistan to city

By Mahtab Bashir

ISLAMABAD: An exhibition of contemporary paintings and photographs titled ‘Art Attack’ opened at Nomad Gallery’s Saidpur Village branch on Saturday.

The exhibition, which portrays the real culture, heritage and rural life of Pakistan, is a collection of paintings by Kanwal Zaidi, Faiza Khan and Azhar Sheikh.

Zaidi in her cache of seven paintings has created a patterned design consisting of lines and marks of script around the idea of cognitive trees by using mix media on board, mix media on paper and oil on board. Trees as a living entity are the theme of her work.

Defining the word ‘cognition’ Zaidi said in a statement that the process of knowing in the broadest sense, including perception, memory and judgment might lead to the exact definition of cognition.

“Basically my paintings revolve around the idea of ‘cognitive trees, in which I have focused on different acts of life through different postures of trees, as tree is very close to human life cycle. It is also said to be the ‘symbol of wisdom,’ the artist said.

Zaidi said in her paintings she had highlighted the act of ‘individuality’. “My whole work is done in lines and a few different forms, which can be called fantasised forms having their own significant meanings,” said Zaidi, adding, in her works the circles or the cambium rings refer to her experiences in life.

In his collection of four photographs Sheikh’s has captured different shades of life such as the milkman entering Lahore city in the wee hours. His work depicts life in Lahore and its suburbs. Through his photographs he has shown those parts of the city that normally remain unnoticed by many. The essence of his paintings lies in the sensitivity that he has felt and with which he has captured these shades. His photos show various aspects of the city that has a reputation of being the cultural hub of the country.

Born in Lahore, raised in Karachi and graduated from NCA Lahore, Sheikh said photography was his passion and one of his best pasttimes. “My first solo show in Lahore was with the title ‘First Flight’ and since than I have never exhibited my work in a show,” Sheikh said.

Khan’s seven abstract art pieces show intense human emotions and nature. Her works are based on abstract figurative imagery blended with colours.

“The changing light of day and moods are the foundations of my work. My paintings usually start with a colour idea, then evolve into compositions in which colour is the primary subject,” said Faiza, who did Masters in Fine Arts from Oklahoma University, USA.

“As an artist, I am primarily inspired by the human figure. I am drawn to its unmatched power to evoke an emotional response from the viewer. I want the work to create an interactive emotional space between the painting and the viewer, ” said Khan. The exhibition would continue till September 15.

Meanwhile, A group show of three artists titled ‘Art Attack’ opened at Nomad Gallery on Saturday.

The exhibition displays a collection of 40 creative and imaginative paintings by Sarfraz Musawir, AQ Arif and Shafique Farooqi. The artists have worked with images, colours, lines, texture and forms or simply manipulated space to let their inner whispers be heard.

Safraz Musawir, a watercolourist from Karachi, has selected interior lifestyle of different cities as the subject of his work. Concentrating primarily on figurative renditions, the collection also includes Sufi tombs, cityscapes and ancient mosques.

Most of Sarfraz’s work is painted in vibrant and luminous watercolours with frequent use of loose washes.

His work represents the true essence of our culture. His decorative approach appears to be transformations of photographic images.

AQ Arif, using the medium of oil on canvas in his five abstract pieces, creates dreamy, beautiful landscapes, half imagined and half real. Almost mirage-like, the architectural elements in his work shimmer as reflected images in wide pools of water.

Shafique Farooqi, an artist with well-established repute in his collection of four paintings of oil on canvas, creates images that translate his intuitive perception of reality of the visual.

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