KSA students put on impressive degree show

14 graduating students display works at degree show held on December 21 and 22

KARACHI: Art has long been a forum for political and social commentary.

This year’s thesis show of Karachi School of Arts (KSA), held on December 21 and 22, was no exception.

The degree show, which exhibited the works of 14 bright graduating students, showcased an impressive display. The students’ work displayed a sense of maturity as all tried to address various issues that confront society and how to move forward.

The judges, who had come from Karachi University Visual Studies (KU-VS) department, were impressed enough to state that they would ask their own VS students to see the thesis and learn how to brainstorm new ideas.

Of the total 14 students whose works were being exhibited, eight were offered jobs on the spot by employers who had come to see the show.

The graduating students of KSA. PHOTO: KARACHI SCHOOL OF ARTS

Hassan A Rehman, a graduate of KSA who earned full marks on his well-researched thesis, worked on finding solutions to prompt response at accident sites.

“I have seen many times that people who witness accident on roads, streets are unsure of what to do and that is why we see them attempting to help victims on their own (which may do more harm than good,” he said when asked to speak about the significance of his work.

Some accidents result in a number of avoidable deaths because first-responders fail to reach the sites on time.

“This problem made me work on SASA – my project. I designed a console for it, and applications on cell phones to record the information on the accidents by people who are passing by.”

Thesis work depicting the lies that today's advertisements are fraught with. PHOTO: KARACHI SCHOOL OF ARTS

Hassan’s project’s tagline is No Child’s Play, which emphasises on the gravity of issue.

If pitched to authorities and implemented, the project can work wonders as it has the ability of reducing the time it takes for ambulances, police force, and others to reach incident sites.

Work debunks false claims made by spiritual healers. PHOTO: KARACHI SCHOOL OF ARTS

Aamir Khan, who received a distinction on his thesis, worked on revolutionising the mainstream Urdu newspaper strategy by changing not only its look but also making it easily accessibility online.

He created an entire newspaper, replacing the regular fonts used in Urdu papers with a more readable text, along with making a phone app readers can read it online.

Manal Ahmed’s idea was based on a hard reality. Her project showed two aspects of people’s lives today: the perfect one portray on social media, and one that is actually our reality.

PHOTO: WALEED TARIQ/EXPRESS

PHOTO: WALEED TARIQ/EXPRESS

To depict this through art, she used scores of masks on a canvas and a masked-shaped mirror along with. The inscription above them read, which mask do you want?

PHOTO: WALEED TARIQ/EXPRESS