Looking into the past: Uncovering chaos of the modern world

'Fractured Narratives' on display at Canvas Gallery

KARACHI: The work of an artist is often seen as a reflection of society, which involves traces of both contemporary and historical elements.

Such is the journey of artist, Sayeda M Habib, in her latest exhibition, titled 'Fractured Narratives', in which she has extensively researched to understand and depict how the people of the East got where they are. "Today we live in a world so preoccupied with change and innovation that we have forgotten the value of traditions that have effectively served human civilisations through the ages," reads the artist's statement.

Habib, who has studied classical drawing, believes that imagery and art are the most direct ways of communication. But having come to the conclusion that history is in fact about other people's opinion, she turned to her own heritage and started looking up into her own, Subcontinent based art.

Her work on display at Canvas Gallery, involves the symbols and art forms relevant to the Subcontinent including miniature painting, images of Hindu gods and Mughals. Some elements of Iranian art are also a recurrent feature in her canvases.

Another aspect of her display of work is the wide use of mediums particularly the newsprint. "The mosaic of newsprint weaves an orderly chaos, whilst the images float in search of unity," she explains in her statement.



According to her newsprint (which can be viewed as the unnecessary influx of information that should not be mistaken for knowledge) has become fractured. "The noise of media only leads to confusion in our heads," she said, while speaking to The Express Tribune. "We don't need this much technology," she added.

Amid the past and present transition of her work, one that catches the eye is the 'The Triad' of unity, faith and discipline. With the use of collage, gouache and newsprint on Wasli, the piece combines this concept with family, contrary to what we always see it as a message for nationhood. The father being the 'Faith', the mother as 'Unity' and the kid as 'Discipline', Habib explains this concept of triangulation while applying it to human families.

The work appears to be very clear at times and other times very abstract. "You can understand it from any entry point you choose to look it from," she said.

According to her, all forms of art including symbols from different religions depict the unity of the Creator. "We have to be oriented to the Creator," she said.

The exhibition will continue till March 19.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2016.