Inspired by tradition: Nazia Ejaz’s mirror acrylic work lights up Canvas Gallery

Artist explores the makers and markers of one’s roots and identity

KARACHI: Introspection, meditation and repetition.

These three interlinked concepts were used by and served as sources of inspiration for artist Nazia Ejaz in her exhibit, ‘The Green Room’, which opened at the Canvas Gallery on Tuesday.

“My work is about binaries that permeate multiple levels of social perceptions and interactions turning them into mediated spaces,” Ejaz told The Express Tribune, adding that there is clear introspection and meditation, which is repetitive in manner. It’s truly about that which separates us and that which connects us, she said.

Most notable in display were the images done up in laser cut mirror acrylics and other works in oil and gold leaf on linen.



From the use of grill patterns to several screens to missing pieces of glass, my paintings are also a reference to traditions, she said.

Her work is a part of the work she did in Adelaide, Australia in Nexus Residency for about three months, last year. Meanwhile, she is currently in the process of moving back to Pakistan from Australia where she was living with her family since the past 12 years.

The daughter of melody queen Noor Jehan, Ejaz commented that to a great extent, her mother’s creativity was reflected in her too as an artist. “You’ll find her presence everywhere here today,” she said.

Ejaz has toyed with the concepts of identity and migration, focusing on her own roots.

“I have been a witness to her [Ejaz’s] work since way back in 1991-our National College of Arts days. Her work has progressed,” said Canvas Gallery owner Sameera Raja, adding that Ejaz’s work raises questions from her end about her identity and roots.



It reflects her identity as a person, as a woman, as a migrant, as a mother and as a wife, said Raja.

“The grill pattern you see can be found at Sufi shrines. She has explored physical and metaphysical thoughts,” said Raja. Either Ejaz is protesting against those thoughts or curtailing it, we really don’t know, she said.

The exhibit continues till January 26.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2017.