Debut show: Budding artists showcase artwork

Group show features rich variety of works

ISLAMABAD: A preview of début exhibition by graduating artists from Centre of Excellence in Art and Design, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro went on display for a wider audience at My Art World on Monday.

The group show features works by 13 artists. The artworks on display include paintings, printmaking and sculptures.

As one browses through, the artworks glance inside the minds of young contemporary artists from the region.

“As each one of them takes their first step into the art world, we witness unadulterated, fresh and raw talent waiting to be discovered and not yet bound by shackles of the commercial art,” My Art World curator Zara Sajid said.

Artist Mahira Zaheer through the study of hair has shown many aspects of a woman’s life in our society.

“Each lock of hair holds together lots of strands. As they entangle themselves, we see an undulating formation of strands tied together or open,” she said.

The collection by artist Murk Malik titled ‘Age Imprints’ focuses on wrinkles. He said that studying the contrast of thick and thin lines inspired him to explore the subject through the artistic lens. “The clock never stops and waits and we grow old. Wrinkles to me are the etchings of experience and character,” he said.

Photo manipulation was the basis of work by artist Marooha Samo.

“I have played with different images and created mystical visuals. The concept behind these manipulations is derived from the stories I have heard from my elders during childhood,” she said.

Gul Shazma has portrayed the vibrant cityscape that surrounds her.

“I see my surroundings as urban landscapes in positive and negative,” the artist said.

Ali Morio said that he has attempted to bind eastern culture and western legendary icons through his brush strokes. “By appropriating western noted paintings, I have tried to merge the western with the eastern resulting in paintings that depict common elements that we relate to in our society and how we see the western society in contrast to ours,” Morio said.

Partition of the sub-continent inspired artist Rabail Khanzada. “My family members faced hardships and struggled at the time of the partition. From my childhood, I have been listening to a lot of stories of the partition which are very painful and depressing.

These stories have been creating a lot of images in my mind and inspired me to work further on them through my prints,” she said.

The work by artist Moomal Memon is about expressions and variety of them can be seen in her work in different matrix surfaces in printmaking. “I am inspired by human facial expressions which change every second. Each expression has a different impact,” she said.

Artist Toqeer Soomro’s work is based on a natural form of timber. “I have refined the naturally wasted timber into my own visions and shapes that I observe in wood,” he said.

The show continues till February 20.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th, 2016.