Exhibit: Finding inspiration in the mundane cycles of life

A welcome change in theme and style distinguishes art.

ISLAMABAD:

Life from the nostalgic past to the state of humanity in the present distinguishes the joint exhibition of artists Zunaira Sardar and Zeeshan Javed that opened at Kuch Khaas on Wednesday and will continue till April 23.

In a show titled “Divine Inspiration”, the collection of 18 pieces is displayed in what is a strikingly dissimilar theme. Sardar works in mostly collage and mixed media, while Javed works with the intricate process of etching and photo transfer.

In Sardar’s works one can feel an evocation of past experiences through relics collected in what she calls her “obscure present”. So a set of footprints, male and female layered atop one another, carefully titled “Delusion” seem to suggest a sense of foreboding in companionship.

The piece may be a subtle reference to the expectations associated with marriage, though displayed by another piece “bonding”, it may also be suggesting towards patience, that is integral to a tender partnership.

Her paper collages are a shift from the solemn palette of her marital metaphors -- displayed in a cluster of five the imagery is rich in colour. Rooted in fond memories and coated with veiled social commentary, the pieces reflect a pedestal fan, an emergency light, a male silhouette engulfed in music memorabilia, lovers tiptoeing into a garden and a crow picking at smaller insects.

While Sardar draws inspiration from memory, Javed takes on the idea of being. She etches together a narrative of an angel as testament to a higher power. The pieces seem to reflect the complexity of being human and living in a world that is both despicable yet so embracing. This is exquisitely embodied in one etching; entitled “Faith”. The piece might also suggest a decay of values or it may refer to human spirituality and a more personal connection with God, leaving the place of worship as nothing but a structure. The varied interpretations of it constitute part of its charm.

‘Loveless’ and ‘Lovefulness’, are photo transfers that employ the use of text and intricate linework to express the loss and gain of the emotion. The pieces are embossed, their textures a compliment to the idea of the visceral experience of loving and losing.

The two-artist show is a celebration of life, either as nostalgic evocation of the past or the beauty and complexity of human existence within a changing world.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14^th, 2012.