Exhibition of household items

By Mariam Qureshi

LAHORE: Sonia Bajwa displayed her flair for combining aesthetics, concepts and utility in an exhibition of her home accessories held at the Croweaters on the December 21.

The entire gallery, adorned by quaintly designed items like trays, tables, pots and candle stands, spoke volumes about how mundane household items can become fascinating with some ingenuity.

The materials used were wood, wrought iron and glass and although very basic in their structure, were rendered unique because of their adornments. Sonia explained that her technique involved combining collage with acrylic paint with a cover of furniture lacquer on tabletops and trays.

Each item, painted painstakingly by hand, had an air of curiosity around it. Although Sonia’s items are contemporary – evident from her wrought iron candle stands and chairs alluding reckless spontaneity and open composition – but in some places traditional influence peeks through.

Tabletop motifs in the form of floras and curly tendrils running across the surface, and her choice of colours show strong influence of traditional aesthetics. “I am from Germany, but having spent 23 years of my life in Pakistan, I think some of my work celebrates the cross cultural phenomena experienced by me,” said Sonia.

“I want to make ‘happy’ furniture, the kind which exudes joy and light heartedness when one beholds or uses them. For instance, if someone uses my collaged trays for breakfast, I want them to start their day with a pleasant sight. I want these accessories to impact users. To give my items a human quality, I gave them a personal touch.”

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