Exhibition: Wooden pawns, carved-out coins save an otherwise dull show

The show toys with the idea of mental stress, restlessness and features 6 artists .

ISLAMABAD:

“Tanao” focuses on tension in an object or a person. The show toys with the idea of mental stress and feelings of restlessness and features minimalist works by six artists, Sheema Khan, Sofia Mairaj, Sahar Jawaid, Raheela Abro, S M Raza and Fariha Nadir.

Abro’s wooden pawns were the biggest hit of the show. Hand-carved from wood and painted in oil, these miniature Mughal-esque pawns were unique and appealing.

“Due to the country’s critical situation, I am feeling that our laymen are just like toys and whosoever comes to power, plays with them,” said Abro.

The depiction of riaya (common people of Mughal miniature paintings) as pawns from a chess set gave a nice allegory to their status. Besides the strong concept, the execution and presentation of the pieces were powerful, and Abro’s collection got sold out moments after the gallery opened.

Nadir added to the minimalist flavour of the show with carved-out coins attached to thread, symbolising the value of money and its significance in the lives of people. Whether to be perceived as disposable commodity or as an item of reverence, the artist leaves the interpretation to the viewer, liberating the senses.

With the exception of a few pieces by the artists, the overall show was not much exciting.

Apart from Abro’s wooden pawns and Nadir’s carved-out coins, the show had nothing appealing. Even though some of the work did get sold, the aesthetics used by most artists was not alluring.

The overdone and repetitive still-life work by Mairaj had nothing new to offer.

Khan’s mix media prints were rather dull, compared to others. Her concept was interesting but the attempt to translate the ideas on to paper turned out boring.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th, 2011.