Art exhibit: The symptomatic behaviour of art

Lahore-based artist switches gears from realism to abstract.

ISLAMABAD:

In realist painting, art is an accurate depiction of life, while the genre of abstract art is more about individual interpretation. In her solo exhibit that is continuing at the Jharoka Art Gallery, Zammurad Safdar moves effortlessly between these two genres.

Lahore-based Safdar has been a realist painter for most of her professional life, focusing mainly on painting landscapes and figures. She currently serves as Lahore College for Women’s Institute of Design and Visual Arts Director. With this exhibition, however, the artist chooses to break out of her usual medium of work and express herself without the structural constraints usually associated with realism.

Speaking on making the transition to abstract art, Safdar said, “We see too much reality on TV and in real life. I wanted to break away from the depression to create something vibrant and bright.”

Her perspective on the world around her can be vividly seen in the paintings and her background in realist art shines through despite the change in form.

Argentinean Ambassador Rodolfo J Martin who inaugurated the exhibition and took to tour of the paintings, commented on Safdar’s ability of making the paintings recognisable despite the abstract theme. Many at the opening echoed his remarks.

In her smaller paintings titled “Symptoms of nature”, she depicts flowers as red and black splashes with gold leaf paper set into the work. In another piece, “Rainforest”, the artist defies conventionality by using heavy textures of blue meshed with green and bold brush strokes splattering paint across the canvas. No definitive figures are discernible in the collection, save for one piece called “Adolescence”, where Safdar uses rich colours to capture the innocence and free spirits of young children before they step into the harsh realities often associated with adulthood.

Known in artistic circles as an “action artist”, she smilingly explains the term of endearment as her habit of never leaving the canvas until the painting is complete.

Her dedication to craft is clear for all to see. The exhibition will continue for the next two weeks.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5^th, 2012.