Mehran University talent takes on tradition

‘Tales from the Desert’ showcases the work of four young artists from Jamshoro.

KARACHI: The work of four fresh graduates has gone on display at the Canvas Gallery in an exhibition that was launched on Wednesday. Their work will be up till Feburary 4.

Shafique Ahmed Tunio, Zahid Hussain Farooqui, Zeeshan Ahmed, Zubair Ahmed have all graduated from the Centre of Excellence in Art and Design, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology. Despite their inexperience, the work of these artists exhibits strength and maturity far beyond their years. Mainly in two-dimensional mediums, the work is both skilful and impactful.

The four artists all have individual styles and approaches to their topics, which revolve around their personal muses.

Shafique Ahmed Tunio has a self-confessed obsession with ‘teelis’ (sticks). “I find these match sticks closely linked to myself,” he said, “I feel that I can express myself effectively through these tiny, fragile and sensitive objects which have the capacity to ignite, glow, smoulder and burn up themselves for others.”

Touching on the ever-relevant concern of the media’s influence on society, Zeeshan Ahmed uses oil on canvas to drive his point home. “Not only the costumes, which are copied by the public, but the media’s gestures, actions and dialogue also influence the public,” said Zeeshan, “My endeavour has been to portray those characters of Pakistani films which have influence on the public.”

While Zubair Ahmed has decided to highlight the influence of ‘West on East’, Zahid Farooqui has taken a more direct approach to criticise Pakistan’s loss of identity. “This work is about the influence of west on east,” said Zubair. “Colourful and vibrant background colours are from traditional paintings, which are very much dominated by the West...”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2011.