Revisiting surrealism with Shakil Saigol

Reclusive artist's paintings exhibited at Canvas Gallery

KARACHI: Shakil Saigol is a fine artist. Self-taught in the art of painting and a reputed businessman, there are multiple layers to his personality.

His current exhibition, titled 'Surrealism Revisited', opened at Canvas Gallery on Tuesday evening. The show featured mainly oil on canvas and gouache on arches paper paintings.



"I work with a single theme in mind so my focus remains steady. However, my imagination is let loose. I believe in the saying 'let it go wild'," said the reclusive and media-shy artist. "You would find plenty of lotus flowers in this collection. It's my personal favourite. Also, you would find the images of my two granddaughters in these paintings."

After suffering a heart attack 30 years ago, Saigol began to paint. PHOTO: COURTESY CANVAS GALLERY

When you talk to his companion of almost 48 years, his wife Rehana Saigol, she says, "He is really happy when he is in his skin - when he is painting."  He goes to his studio at around 11am every morning and stays there till the sun sets, she explained. "For exhibitions like these, he may even pull all-nighters! This is his life and he enjoys it," she lauded.

About 30 years ago, an episode occurred in Shakil's life that transformed the businessman into a painter.  According to Rehana, when he was 42 years old, he was living the life of a businessman. "His first heart attack compelled him to transform [his life] and I supported him throughout to pick up a paintbrush and start living his life on his own terms," she said.



He has been doing this ever since, she said, adding that he is also very passionate about it. "He hates criticism," she shared. "But I am his worst critic. I tell him and he listens. He does not like it but listens and then reinvents himself every time."

The artist's wife Rehana Saigol said he is really happy when he is in his skin - when he is painting. PHOTO: COURTESY CANVAS GALLERY

With no formal training in painting or drawing, he does it purely out of passion, said Rehana, who is a designer. "The young ones need to realise how we took the first step in transforming today's society regarding the perception of art," she said. "We brought a complete transformation and acceptance, which wasn't there decades back!"

Shakil's 'Surrealism Revisited' continues till May 4 at Canvas Gallery.