Floral art: Amateur artists highlight environmental issues

Talented students have taken classical floral art to a new level, says VC GCU

LAHORE: Amateur artists from various colleges and universities used floral art as a medium to highlight environmental issues and promote sustainable use of plant waste materials at the Dry Flower, Shirt Painting and Posters Competition 2016. The event was held at the Government College University (GCU) Lahore on Wednesday.

Around 140 students from different educational institutions, including Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), Education University, Government College Gulberg, MAO College and some private universities participated in the competitions organised by the GCU Horticulture Society at the Abdus Salam Hall.

“The talented students have taken the classical floral art to a new level. They have used plants’ waste materials and blended the contemporary trends of floral art with the innovative ideas to raise awareness about suitability and environmental challenges,” said GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah while appreciating the dry flowers artwork of the students.

He added the development was necessary, but development at the cost of nature was not worth it.

Noted landscape designer Mustafa Kamal said that the Punjab government was investing millions of rupees on horticulture in the city. He appreciated the efforts of the students of various colleges and universities and encouraged them to be a part of the Horticulture Group of Lahore to make the landscape of their institutions more beautiful. He emphasised on holding more flower shows and competition to make students aware of the uses of the plants.

GCU Horticulture Society Advisor Prof Zaheerud Din Khan said flora and fauna made the landscape aesthetically appealing and heath friendly in accordance with the climate of certain region. He said that Lahore had inherited the Mughal sensibility of floral decoration which could be witnessed at the historical architectural sides like the Shalimar and the Lahore fort.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2016.