Mosaic: Art works on new trends, media go on display this week

Iqbal Hussain stages comeback with renewed zeal, bolder themes and powerful strokes.


News Desk May 04, 2014
Some of the pieces that will be featured at the exhibitions. PHOTOS: EXPRESS

Two art exhibitions — one group show of works by four printmakers and a solo show of the latest works by internationally acclaimed artist Iqbal Hussain — will be on display at two galleries coming weeks.

Latest paintings by Iqbal Hussain made since his recovery from serious illness in August last year will be on display at Gallery6 on Friday (May 9). The exhibition will continue till May 18.



“Iqbal Hussain is an Aquarian by birth, hence is a visionary, progressive soul who loves making the world a better place,” said curator Dr Faisal Arjumand.

Hussain is very humble but a near-genius, letting his mind create some amazing artworks with inventive and original thought processes, he added.

He is also a bold man with ability to fight out all odds.

Last year he fell ill and was hospitalised twice. His strong will played an important role in his recovery, Arjumand said.

Once out of hospital, he began painting again the anguish and forces that surrounds him, with renewed zeal, much simpler but bolder and powerful strokes.

Group show

The works of four printmakers — Anjum Ayub, Iram Wani, Naeem Alam and Saad Ahmed — on diverse themes will open at Nomad Art Gallery on Tuesday (May 6), said a press release.

It is encouraging that the artists lean towards contemporary trends and media to express and reinforce their own individual concerns, said curator Nageen Hyat.



“The feeling that we live in an alarming recoil in our civilising process — if the concept of civilization still makes any sense — has now spread out,” she added.

“A strong need for religious affirmation arises in response to political and existential despair. Such affirmation runs past the radical rejection of differences and utter disdain for the basic principle of tolerance and plural understanding.

We now have an open dialogue and individual perspective and symbolism whereby various thought processes intertwine. This opening, somewhat melancholic and sublime, is a suitable way of experiencing difference and leaving the space open for dialogue,” she added.

Anjum Ayub, a printmaker, is deeply attracted and moved by the concerns of the soul. She uses different techniques to create a sanctuary for the women’s soul and then as the world is mortal, the subjects of her paintings and prints also keep vanishing. She has done her bachelor’s degree in fine arts (BFA) from the National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore.

Iram Wani, another printmaker, elicits her art work from a dialogue between the conditioned and unconditioned self. Currently a lecturer at NCA Rawalpindi campus, Wani’s work has portrayed different issues and has always earned appreciation. She has also done her BFA from NCA, Lahore and participated in many group and solo exhibitions.

Naeem Alam, an NCA graduate, prefers a minimalist approach towards art and design, figures being a preferred subject matter. “Influence from other artists in a new environment is the most important aspect for the growth of a creative mind”, Alam said.

When the colours and concepts are simple, at their bare minimum, at the absolute requirement and nothing more, they can be turned up, blown up, with clarity of perception, he said.

“Figurative imagery of my art works is based on human behaviour directly and indirectly,” said Saad Ahmed. The activity inside the work and the reaction of the viewer both are related to a specific behaviour of curiosity, as he put it.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 5th, 2014.

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