Solo exhibition: Ceramist pours self out through artwork

Artist focuses on elements such as waves, seashells, representing her life journey

LAHORE: A solo exhibition featuring 39 sculptures and six drawings by veteran ceramist and sculptor Talat Dabir opened at the Taseer Art Gallery on Friday.

Talat’s latest series of work titled ‘Submissive Self’ represents the spiritual, emotional and personal journey the artist has experienced in her life, having crossed her 70s. All the pieces on display represent her thought process at a particular time in her life.

“Generally my work has to do with what is happening around us and what is going on in the country and my inner feelings,” observed Talat, who also headed the National College of Arts’ fine arts department.

She graduated from the NCA in 1969. She considers renowned painter Saeed Akhtar as one of key figures in her journey and learning process as an artist.

Since Talat’s work has essentially been about transforming one conventional form into another, she juxtaposes several historical or natural elements into various forms of human figures.

Speaking about her latest works, Talat said that while going through some history books, she took elements from Shah Jehan’s cup with its handle shaped as an eagle. Her latest series features elements such as waves, sea shells, representing the inward journey and the emotional stage she has reached in her life.

According to the artist, this for the first time she has given a lot of colours to her figurines. “Otherwise, normally most of my work is just glazed with either white clay or terracotta,” she said.

Talat does a lot of experimental work in stoneware, working with clays on different temperatures and colours giving different results. Her pointer sketches represent the state of being in clouds or flying, again a feeling that one gets sometimes.

“Basically my work progresses on themes regarding my thinking process and I like to transform my previous work into new forms, the process helps me create new ideas and figures,” she said.

Talat’s work has always been about variation in surfaces, giving depth and story to her figures.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15^th, 2017.