Ground reality: No light without dark

Artist Abdur Rehman from Swabi speaks of the shrinking space for art, its promotion


Hidayat Khan March 31, 2016
Artist Abdur Rehman captures stories on canvas. PHOTOS COURTESY: ABDUR REHMAN

PESHAWAR:


Two flames blaze through sap green and cerulean strokes, each a meticulous mark. The two women at first glance draw on the pastoral beauty of the country. But then the eye moves to the heavy bundles balanced on their heads, a reminder of the difficult lives women and people in those regions lead.


Showing his work, the artist, Abdur Rehman, told The Express Tribune, “Through my paintings, natural beauty is depicted in perfect harmony with expressions of reality.” He said it was important to highlight positive aspects of the country but keep them rooted in what truly happens in the country.



Born in Swabi, Abdur Rahman graduated with a degree in fine arts from the University of Peshawar. He also taught fine arts and animation in the city for several years.

Expressions of an artist

Rehman works with different media, pencil, oil, acrylics and computer graphics, using each to delve into and recreate Pakistan’s heritage, natural beauty and rural traditions. His artworks fuse scenic beauty of hilly regions with problems faced by its inhabitants.

Rehman’s blue and green palettes are particularly strong. Bold or muted, his work in those two colours bring out versatility – changing conversations and setting moods.

“I want to show the beautiful side of the region but not without its actualities,” Rehman said.

Animation is the artist’s favourite medium through which he weaves old folk tales about tolerance and respect.

“Local stories, culture, traditions and heroes portrayed through modern mediums like animation can draw younger generations towards their heritage.” He added, “[This awareness] can also help the country out of its current state of turmoil.”

Masterstrokes

While Rehman like most other artists from the region focuses a great deal on the green landscape, he tends to move away from them since he does not shy away from real-world tragedy.

Some of his work portrays a world marred by ongoing wars and terrorism. Each of those paintings conceals a story. In one of the oils, two dilapidated huts painted in the style of French impressionism depict the northern region’s harsh realities. In another painting, a quiet classroom focuses on a solitary figure – a child sitting alone, waiting for the return of his classmates. This was made in the aftermath of the brazen attack on Army Public School in Peshawar.

According to Rehman, the idea behind his work is to make people think and encourage them to bring change. “There should be more stress on education since only that can control illiteracy,” he added.

The shrinking canvas

There is a very small market for art in the city. Rehman told The Express Tribune even if he arranged an exhibition, no one will visit and purchase his paintings. He said he has to sell them in other parts of the country.



“There is no market for art; even if a gallery opened here. That is why it is near impossible to promote art,” Rehman said. He added not only foreigners, but even people from other cities of Pakistan are not ready to visit Peshawar. While there is a supply of some great artwork, there is absolutely no demand.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1st,  2016.

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