Press preview: Shrouded in metaphors of black

The art show is to open at Gallery 6 on Friday.

ISLAMABAD:

‘Metaphors of Black’ boasts of a palette that is rich in diversity. The title itself encompasses the realm of two female artists, who hail from different parts of the world.

Lila Khan, a recent graduate from Mount Holyoke College in the United States and settled in Connecticut, exhibits her work alongside Humeira Ghaznavi, a veteran artist from Islamabad.

Arjumand Faisel, curator and owner of Gallery 6 said, “Tthese artists have lived in two distinct cultures, yet there is interesting resemblance in their themes. I find that both artists draw out forbidden statements, that they cannot express verbally or in writing. Hence, they use metaphors to unburden themselves in a very imaginative way. Black predominates.”

Through her journey as an artist and discovering a niche for herself in the world of art, Khan confesses that she feels very selfish putting her own emotions into her work all the time. That is why she uses her friends and people close to her as objects, inspiration and for emotional value. Khan uses ink on paper to form opinions and let her emotions flow.

For a recent graduate, it is hard to figure out what to do in life, and what route to take. The use of these emotions of being in a limbo defines Khan’s work to a large extent. College romances and the games people play in order to seek their partners’ attention are themes that make their way into Khan’s work. She effortlessly incorporates uncomfortable ideas into comfortable objects and comfortable ideas into uncomfortable objects.

Humeira comes from a different league of artists. Even though she is a trained painter, her sketches at the gallery are all on paper and made using felt tip. As she uses pointillism to create images, what’s unique about her work is the technique she uses in which she doesn’t lift the pen until she is done with her work. Each sketch is a single line piece of art.

Her work highlights the duality of humanity and the separation of human soul from its surroundings. “Each human merges and emerges, which is part of evolution, if we don’t merge we can’t emerge.”

While Lila beams over her first show in Islamabad, Humeira has over 24 solo shows under her belt. The juxtaposition of these two artists creates a very soothing façade and, somehow their works complement each others. The show opens on Friday (today) will continue till August 12.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2011.