Losing touch with nature: Rethink Karachi’s landscape with Suleman Khilji

Artist portrays difference between artificial and natural scenery


Our Correspondent March 01, 2016
The recurring element in Suleman Khilji's works is the concrete block seen at construction sites. The artist has explored the different ways the blocks can be used. PHOTO: COURTESY IVS GALLERY

KARACHI: Sand, dust, bricks, concrete blocks have become a part of cityscape, and lush green trees have become a rare sight.

Artist Suleman Khilji has infused construction material in his works to depict the transition of a landscape for his latest exhibition, titled 'See View'.  His works are being exhibited at Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture.

Through his work, which largely employs the medium of drawing, Khilji portrays the difference between artificial and natural landscapes.

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For someone who has his roots in Quetta, Balochistan and is accustomed to open landscapes, he brings out the contradictions in the landscape of the port city.

According to Khilji, the contradiction lies in the fact that even to portray a natural landscape we rely on artificial material. To explain his idea he gave the example of truck art in which non-natural elements are utilised to depict nature.

Speaking about the landscape of Karachi, he said that it consists of many buildings and man-made structures. "Karachi [landscape] is about material of all kinds such as rust, concrete blocks, sand," he remarked.

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The recurring element in his works is the concrete block seen at construction sites. By positioning the concrete block in front of a light, the artist says that he has explored the different ways it could be used.

Another dominant element is the focus on the city's shore. A polythene bag can be seen wavering in the air, which from one angle seems to be part of the still image and from another as an integrated one.

"It is a screen print which is also a form of drawing," he explains. Although the entire exhibition seems to be very abstract, with different symbols at one point, Khilji establishes that it's all figurative.

"It's an expanded feel of drawing," adds artist and curator of the show, Seher Naveed, making one believe that perhaps it's the journey of drawing that overshadows the concept behind the work.

Artistic expression

From the depiction of a water puddle in front of a wooden background to an installation of his drawings of different symbols from Karachi's landscape, all highlight the artist's fascination with drawings.

"Drawing is a medium of learning and relaxation for me," he said, explaining the excessive use of this medium in his works.

The exhibition will continue till March 14.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2016.

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