‘My World in Monochrome’: Shades of grey showcase hidden beauty

The exhibition will continue till Jan 29

ISLAMABAD: Various themes on the harsh and often stunning realities of life were explored at a photography exhibition on Saturday. Themes of life in black and white, sepia silhouettes and shadows were explored by 55 photographers at the exhibit.

The exhibition, titled ‘My World in Monochrome’, was organised by the Photographic Art Society of Pakistan (PASP). The exhibit was part of the society’s national exhibition, which opened at Lok Virsa’s Hall of Changing Exhibitions on Saturday.

The exhibition also featured a competition where the best photographs, and their photographers, were awarded. The gold medal was awarded to Ghabib Hasnain for his photograph ‘Face of Tharparkar’, and the silver medal went to Syed Najamul Hassan for ‘Fisherman’s Boat’. Three photographers; Naveed Nawaz, Abdul Sattar Khokhar and Aamir Majeed Sheikh, received the bronze medal.

The ‘best of show’ trophy was awarded to Tahsin Shah for her photograph “Innocence Lost”.  A special ‘judge’s choice medal’ went to Abdul Raphy, for his photograph “White Peacock”. Several photographers including Ammara Nawaz Khan, Asmar Hussain, Azhar Munir, Agriman Haroon, Haider Chishti, Uzair Ahmed, and others were awarded with a certificate of merit.

The exhibition not only highlights nature at its finest, but also uses the lens to showcase the emotions of children and the elderly through their eyes and the wrinkles on their faces. It is not just the theme of the photographs that leave a lasting impact on the viewer, but the fact that they are taken in shades of grey or a single colour. The contradiction between real life in colour, and their photographic representation in shades of grey, adds show a hidden dimension to the art.

Renowned paediatrician Prof Khawaja Ahmed Abbas and Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr Fouzia Saeed were guests of honour at the inauguration ceremony.

In her welcome address, Dr Saeed appreciated the efforts of the PASP in promoting the art of photography, and for displaying the work of its talented artists. “I assure the society that Lok Virsa will continue to offer its support in future ventures,” she said.

The exhibition will continue till January 29.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2016.