Sculptures and ‘winged thoughts’ take centre stage

Abdul Jabbar Gull’s work goes up on display at Art Space Gallery

LAHORE: The opening ceremony of a sculpture show containing the works of Abdul Jabbar Gull was held at the Art Space gallery on Maratib Ali Road on Friday.

Called “Winged Thoughts”, the show was inaugurated by Gull and will continue till January 12, 2018.  A series of sculptures, 17 in total, were created by Gull in 2017 through the use of metal and wood.

In an exclusive chat with The Express Tribune, Gull said his sculptures were an expression of his thoughts. He said that thought formed the basis of their origin.

“These (thoughts) are vast, but also have a limit as our minds could not think beyond a certain point. Thoughts are vast, but barriers always exist,” he commented.

He said that he has used different motifs and symbols to express his thoughts through his sculptors. His work had a sociopolitical comment. The sculptor had taken the support of different motifs and symbols.



He used takhti, grid and organic forms in his work. All of them had different symbolic values,” he added.

Gull further said he used metal and wood in his sculptures. There were very few artists in Pakistan who were using this form. “The work demands a lot of effort because a lot of technicalities are involved.” The techniques of folding, molding, forging, welding and staining are incorporated in his work, unlike others who only focused on just folding or molding. “The work is a final product of a lot of struggle,” he continued.

When asked why this form of art was not as popular among the public at large, Gull expressed his optimism by saying matters were improving. He said public exposure was increasing and due to developments in the private sector, art galleries were being established.

The sculptor stressed that there was a dire need for the government to understand the arts. “We artists move around the world, portraying a soft image of Pakistan. We did the work which was not possible despite the expenditure of billions of rupees”, he said.

He urged the government to hold regular exhibitions and finance their ventures. “Every country has an allocated budget for art. Even embassies around the world invest in it. Efforts of the private sector are ongoing, but matters will improve further through government contributions.

In a statement issued to the media, Gull said; “Once, after visiting my studio someone asked: "What motivates you to work?" I replied, most probably the urge for self-expression; as a sensitive being I feel and experience inner and outer world impressions that I share through my work.



He added the more he tried to explore the mysterious link of the corporeal world to the ethereal world, the more his thoughts flew on delicate wings of imagination. “Searching for answers, I am confronted with ever deeper, unresolved questions. Translated into the focus of my subject as three dimensional, winged forms, I endeavor to discipline my thoughts and create order by juxtaposing them with the Thakhti, a symbol of awareness. Still my thoughts fly hither and thither, leading me into unknown dimensions, ever teasing ever intriguing.”

He found wood and metal to be sympathetic mediums which enhance his quest and continue it. “My carvings in wood set out to explore numerous questions arising from the changing circumstances of my life. I have no conclusions, so my work speaks of the mysteries and ambiguities faced in this process.”

Abdul Jabbar Gull was born in 1969 in Mirpurkhas. He completed his BFA in Sculpture from NCA in 1996. Gull has exhibited nationally and internationally ever since. He has several solo and group shows to his credit. From 1998 to 2008 he taught sculpture at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture. He is still engaged with various institutes as visiting faculty.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2017.