Obscurity of human existence explored

Nomad Art Gallery opens solo show of paintings of Syed Faraz Ali.

ISLAMABAD: The Nomad Art Gallery on Thursday opened a solo show of paintings by Syed Faraz Ali, displaying a collection of seventeen art works titled ‘Endorsing Icons’.

The series expressed bold themes with mediums like sand paper and silk screens. Unveiling the unexplored facets of mankind, his art brings out poignant social issues, per se, the economic divisions within society. These images reflect upon the inanity and dual standards across different strata of society.

The black canvas is symbolic of the obscure meaning of human existence. Darkness represents deep recesses of the human psychology. According to the artist, black is not merely a colour but a whole area of mystique wherein people conceal layers of their existence. “Maintaining one’s dignity in today’s world is as hard as climbing up the tallest mountain.

My art has a perpetual craving for revealing truth to the society we live in,” the artist commented. “The grimness of life around us usually goes unnoticed. Hence putting up sensitive concepts on canvas can be controversial sometimes.” He added, “If the truth has to come out one way or the other so let it be this way. I am in search of the art of living in such eras.”The show will continue till January 18.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2011.