Stroke of a brush : Experience nature with the man of all seasons

Artist Tassaduq Sohail’s works enthralls viewers

KARACHI: “A man of all seasons Tassaduq paints the whole animal kingdom in a simple child-like manner, yet his message is deep and well-constructed,” reads the curatorial statement by Shakira Masood.

Masood endeavours to capture the essence of artist Tassaduq Sohail works in his latest exhibition, titled ‘Once Again with Tassaduq Sohail.’ The exhibition is being held at Art Chowk Gallery.

Sohail enthralls the viewers with his abundant use of bright colours and intricate patterns. Images from nature and animal kingdom form an integral part of his works. He depicts fields, skies and still images using his keen eye for detail and vivid imagination.

Scenes from nature are portrayed in their full essence, water images, lush green fields, clear skies are presented together showing that artist does not imagine the scenery in seclusion.

The colour red remains dominant in his paintings, making its presence felt well above the constraints of being a simple colour of expression. From beaks and mouth of animals, living beneath and above the ground, to faint presence of a worker in the field and glow in the eyes of painted faces, traces of red can be seen in most of his works.

It makes the viewer wonder whether it’s the signature of beauty in the artist’s eyes or a binding expression that is able to convey Sohail’s messages through his works.

Another recurrent feature in the paintings is incessant focus on roots. Sometimes appearing as branches and other times as trunks, roots imagery plays an integral role in the still images. They appear to be both barren and lively at the same time.

“His [Sohail’s] canvases reflect pathos, anger, humour as well as gaiety. Tassaduq’s palette and style are uniquely his own,” said Masood.

The show will continue till March 22.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10^th, 2016.