Exhibition: Rahi’s work inspires new generation of artists

Group exhibition display paintings by Mansoor Rahi, Hajra Mansoor among others

ISLAMABAD: There is something about certain artists that makes their legacy live for ages, their work remains forever young and their art remains valuable over time.

Such is the work of the two most celebrated artists of the country; Mansoor Rahi and his wife Hajra Mansoor who were featured in a painting exhibition “Modern Vision of Mansoor Rahi” went on display at the Aqs Art Gallery on Thursday.

Sajida Hussain, Shahnaz Akram, Shireen Gheba, Shabana Hasan, Nahida Raza, Mubashira Akhtar, Saima Amir, Asrar Farooqui, Farzana Rashid, Shamma Malik, Aania S Khan and Farhana have also showcased their work.

The exhibition features 70 paintings that depict various themes.

Some of the works, particularly inspired by architecture using oil on canvas and bright colours remind one of the islands of Burano, Torcello and Murano in Venice.

Other paintings displayed at the exhibition also use acrylics on canvas.

The legacy of the Rahi family is prominent in fields of journalism, literature, philosophy, visual and performing arts for over 50 years, with respect for all cultures and support for world peace.



Their work was also recognised by the state and they have been bestowed with the presidential pride of performance award.

The recent exhibition at Aqs, however, features a lot more than the works of the Rahi family.

Mansoor Rahi, while speaking to The Express Tribune said that his generations were not only those who are associated to him by blood.

“My generation includes anyone who I have inspired and taught and any artist who believes in spreading creativity. I also feel like the young people who are passionate about painting are a part of my generation,” said the artist who may have lost his hair overtime but certainly not his vigour and passion towards art.

He further said that as an artist, he tried to explore the creative side of the image.

“I care more about the aesthetics for instance, I try to capture the fragrance instead of the flower and instead of painting a beggar, I look for ways to present poverty in its greater essence,” said Rahi.

Sajida Hussain, another artist exhibiting her work, told The Express Tribune that she had been working for the past 15 years.

“I have exhibited all across Pakistan and in California as well as in Canada. Currently, I am working on new realistic romanticism, which looks at the expressionist form of art. I like to derive inspiration from nature and use bright water colours and acrylics on canvas,” she said.

Shabana Hasan, who has been working with Mansoor Rahi for the past five years, said that the works of Rahi had always inspired her and therefore decided to learn art from him.

“It has been a very enriching experience and I started off with natural landscapes, which I have recently started transforming into abstract art,” she added.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2015.