Fundraiser: Group show gives holistic view of art

Amateur and acclaimed artists showcase diverse work for a cause

ISLAMABAD: An exhibition featuring oil and acrylics on canvas, mixed media paintings, printmaking, contemporary miniature on wood, mixed media photography with painting, photo etching and sculptures went on display at Nomad Art Gallery (NAG) on Wednesday.

The six-day group show, featuring 23 distinct artists, aims to allow viewers to gain a holistic view of art including different techniques, concepts and mediums. The exhibition features something for everyone’s liking with around 100 pieces on display.

NAG Director Nageen Hyat told The Express Tribune that the exhibition aims to bring together all artists who have exhibited at the gallery earlier, for a fundraiser. “Not only does this exhibition aim to bring together a number of artists for a great cause and showcase their diverse work but it also hopes to attract students so they can witness different theories being put into practice as well as techniques and mediums being used,” she added.

She further told that the most interesting aspect of the exhibition was the fact that it puts works of amateur artists with the works of acclaimed ones.

Komal Shahid who enjoys working in mixed medium and experimenting with different mediums has used burnt wood with a specific tool and eventually painted it.  She told that the miniature shell where she mixes her colours is her primary inspiration for this series. “Through the work displayed in this exhibition, I have tried to narrate a story of her and how she transforms and struggles,” she said while mentioning that her focus lies in the fusion of traditional with contemporary style.



Ahmed Habib, another acclaimed artist whose work is displayed at the exhibition said that most of his work was an attempt to preserve beauty of Rawalpindi and Lahore. “My work is an effort from my end to preserve beauty of old Lahore and Rawalpindi along with architecture and the mystic ambiance. What is unique about my work is that the entire collection is a blend of essence of architecture combined with my own inspiration,” he said.

The exhibition is on-going till April 12.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th,  2016.