80 international artists display watercolours at FOMMA

Paintings by Pakistani, Italian and Portuguese artists make their way to Karachi

KARACHI: 'In Watercolour', an international watercolour exhibition, opened on Thursday at FOMMA Art Gallery, with around 80 paintings by international artists on display.

A floral watercolour by Federica Maffezzoni from Italy. PHOTO: AYESHA MIR/EXPRESS

"I am very impressed with the art work here. As many as 80 paintings are being displayed here by 80 different Italian, Pakistani and Portuguese artists," said Italian Consul-General Gianluca Rubagotti.

A watercolour by Sonia Zolfanelli from Italy. PHOTO: AYESHA MIR/EXPRESS

Rubagotti termed it 'a journey that started from Rome'. "The second stop has been Karachi, from where it will continue towards Jamshoro, moving next to Portugal for an exhibition and the final display will take place in the Italian town of Fabriano," he explained.

The work of Joaquim Cruz from Portugal. PHOTO: AYESHA MIR/EXPRESS

"The unifying line is the difficulty of using the technique of watercolour. Behind each image you see here is a precise stroke of the hand used to paint urban landscape, floral appeal or abstract. This is where you find a variety of possibilities in artwork," said Rubagotti.

Artwork by Nelson Jesus from Portugal. PHOTO: AYESHA MIR/EXPRESS

"There is abstract work here that is non-figurative. I believe in watercolours - your first stroke is your last stroke and it is the decisive point in time," said artist Qudsia Nisar.

A piece by Angela Pinheiro from Portugal. PHOTO: AYESHA MIR/EXPRESS

The paintings included scenes of rural life, localities near seaside towns, portraits and, of course, many floral watercolours. "Fabriano, the town where the art exhibit will end, is known for its artistic community, art work and paper!" said Rubagotti. "These watercolours are different from the stereotypical oil on canvas or acrylic paintings. What really strikes you is the use of surgical hands in these drawings, which makes it versatile."



This is a hybrid of two events, namely the March 2016 exhibition titled 'Pearls of Peace' and 'In Watercolour', said Bhai Khan Shar, the director of the Centre of Excellence in Art and Design at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro. "This is our strongest weapon for we are promoting the humane side of people of a Muslim country," he added.

The exhibition ends today.