Out of the fold: By putting the Mughal in Monet, artist gives in to the anxiety of influence

Waseem Ahmed gets away with reproducing classic European paintings.

KARACHI: Most artists start out overwhelmed by the greats who inspired them, even as they copy them to learn. If Harold Bloom is to be believed, this is called the “anxiety of influence”. In fact, the famous literary critic argued that the young artist’s admiration turns into resentment when they discover that the greats he idolised have already said everything he wishes to say.

Waseem Ahmed’s conservative training from the National College of Arts strictly forbade him from reproducing the works of artists he admired. Students were pressed to come up with their own original work. Ahmed learnt to paint in oils and went on to graduate in 2000. Ten years later, he finally broke away from the teachings of his professors and emerged with a series of miniature paintings based on the works of his favourite artists. The series opened as ‘Folding, Unfolding’ at Canvas Gallery on Tuesday. “I never reproduced the Old Masters because my teachers strictly forbade copying from other people,” Ahmed told The Express Tribune over the telephone. “But you always appreciate what you see.”

Since he graduated, Ahmed has exhibited his work internationally and across Pakistan. While he does not always stick to conventional miniature art, having painted some large ‘miniatures’, this time around, he chose to stick to his chosen medium, Gouache on Wasli, and to keep his paintings to a maximum of 12 square inches.

The artist has taken the traditional three-dimensional pieces of Renaissance artists and reproduced them in the miniature two-dimensional style. Each painting is divided - at the back is his version of the original painting, and on the outer fold are his miniature sketches.

“Before [studying miniature art at] NCA, I did my bachelors in painting in oils so I was very familiar with western painting,” he explained. “We are never taught how to paint miniatures like that.”

Some of his pieces do not have a sketch on the outer fold, instead the artist has painted a pattern of gift-wrap paper, signifying his reverence for miniature paintings. “Some are hidden behind painted wraps as a symbol of the preciousness of miniature paintings,” he explained.

When asked why he preferred to reproduce old paintings rather than come up with his own, his argument was plain. “There is nothing in the world that is created without inspiration. Humans can only innovate. Nothing is done without reference, even in portraits.”

Despite this philosophy, though, Ahmed stresses that he does not want to send any particular message through his work, not is he trying to be rebellious. “I knew more about European painting and your old experiences never leave you,” he said simply.

While about 80 per cent of the work was sold on opening night, the exhibit will be up till September 29.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st,  2011.