Sana Jamal
ISLAMABAD: The quotation that “every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures” remains true for the exhibition titled ‘Eminent Artists of Pakistan’ displaying the nature of prominent artists of country at gallery 6, Islamabad .
The opening of the exhibition featuring the works of 28 leading painters and sculptors was a well-attended event, with art enthusiasts taking pleasure from the rich subtleties of textures and patterns of the legendary as well as contemporary artists of Pakistan. The exhibition which will continue daily (from 11am to 7pm till January 29) has been arranged “to celebrate the silver jubilee of the exhibitions at gallery 6, by exhibiting diverse variety of artwork of eminent artists of Pakistan” informed Arjumand Faisel, curator of the gallery while talking to Pakistan Observer.
The exquisite show includes the original art works of the legendary artists of Pakistan such as Sadequain, Ali Imam, Ghulam Rasul, Anna Molka, Sheikh Ahmad and Mansur Aye who have left for their heavenly abode.
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| An Art lover examining the contents of 'Autumn in Saidpur' one of the three paintings by Ghulam Rasul. |
While the artworks of some contemporary artists including Mansur Rahi, Shahla Rafi, Rashid Arshed, Hajra Mansur, Mobina Zuberi, Rabia Zuberi, Abdul Jabbar Gull, Mohammad Ali, R. M. Naeem, Masood A. Khan, Ahmed Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Riffat Alvi, Mehr Afroz, Akram Spaul, Akram Dost, Mussarrat Nahid, Sana Arjumand, Iqbal Hussain, Omar Farid, Jamil Baloch and Noorjehan Bilgrami are also adorning the walls of the gallery.
Sadequain’s ink drawing of a woman’s face is a fine example of his superior art skills, which attracted the art lovers towards the painting.
Three exclusive paintings work Ali Imam include a portrait of ‘Faiz Ahmed Faiz’ that was made during Faiz’s last visit to Indus Gallery and another titled ‘Mother and Child’ which were made by him in the last few years of his life.
Sheikh Ahmad’s painting ‘an Irish poet’ is strikingly different from the rest of his work. ‘Three Faces’ of Mansur Aye is one of the finest examples of his flourishing strokes that he experimented over the years while working with diverse subjects.
Sheikh Ahmad’s painting ‘an Irish poet’ is strikingly different from the rest of his work. ‘Three Faces’ of Mansur Aye is one of the finest examples of his flourishing strokes that he experimented over the years while working with diverse subjects.
Anna Molka’s work in crayons was one of the admired works at the exhibition. “Her (Anna’s) paintings show the striking energy of her strong lines depicting human moods” said Shahla Rafi, a landscape painter whose paintings are also on display at the show.
‘A scene from Sihali’ by Shahla is a classic example of her masterly ability to capture the beauty of nature. The scene seems sway the onlooker into the realm of romantic realism.
Mansur Rahi’s heavy thematic content, the philosophical ideas greatly convey the feelings of the socially-conscious artist through Cubist style, depicting human figure integrated with stiff rock forms.
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| Akram Spaul's realist artwork. |
Akram Spaul, a realistic painter who paints everyday activities of common people has presented ‘Home and Hope’ and ‘Chowdhary’ for the show. His imaginative compositions including the addition of shadows added a new dimension to his work as well earned the appreciation of the art lovers.
An artist, Omar Waheed, visiting the exhibition said that “the minute work of Akram Spaul and small, fluent strokes of Ghulam Rasul have inspired me greatly.”
Though the words in ‘Rhythms in Scripts’ by Rashid Arshed were hardly legible but the presence of letters from Urdu/Arabic script added visual aesthetics rather than literal meaning.
Sana Arjumand, a young artist’s work added vigour to the exhibition. She draws inspiration from the surrounding and “add green colours to relate them with our land, Pakistan which is our divine identity” said Arjumand.
Riffat Alvi’s abstract paintings tiled ‘Gujrat riots in India’ and ‘The Seals’ is done with coloured sand that she collected from all over the world.
Omar Farid excels both in pen and ink colours on paper to create psychedelic narratives. Miniscule multiple lines, shapes, forms, circles and squiggles in his imagery entangles the mind in perceiving actions happening within the frame.
Ahmed Khan’s ‘Holy Verses’ painting exhibits his command over the use of silver leaf and textures to highlight the pictorial beauty of calligraphy.
Masood A. Khan’s ‘Evening Tea’ in his iconic transparent manner has created brilliant multi-dimensional, serene evening in soul soothing soft tones, which is highly appealing.
Some artists have depicted women as the main theme of their work. Hajra Mansur’s and Abrar Ahmed’s paintings deal with aesthetics — women, romance and beauty.
Iqbal Hussain’s women are simply relaxing entangled in deep thoughts.
Mobina Zuberi shows her return journey to women, after a series of flat form compositions over the last few years. However, the influence of her creative abstracts treatment is noticeable in her new figurative style.
Mohammad Ali has displayed a ‘Thari Woman’ with values of the bold brush strokes and background, the darks, the lights, and the transition tones.
Akram Dost’s work displays apathy of women and underscores their helplessness, and suppression, which is in conflict with their internal desires.
R M Naeem has participated in the exhibition with a strikingly different work. His drawing of a mother and child is different from his purple genderless bald figures in serene environments.
Jamil Baloch and Noor Jehan’s well-conceived compositions are strong in technique and involve the viewer into meaningful conversation.
Mehr Afroz’s figures are intriguing, making a social statement. Mussarrat Nahid Imam has also presented an abstract composition indicating her movement away from her heritage series and evolution into a newer direction.
The exhibition also offers sculptures by Rabia Zuberi and Abdul Jabbar Gull. Rabia is the leading female sculptor of Pakistan and her work has gone through various phases in response to the socio-political changes. The work on display depicts the influence of British master Henry Moore in her work.
Abdul Jabbar’s sculptures present sculpted faces and winged figures, somewhat different from his usual “ordinary souls” works. The sculptures are simple but carry powerful appearances.
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