‘Ruminations’ on display at Satrang

Artists look to larger repertoire of lived experiences in their own way

ISLAMABAD:

Ruminations—a series of artworks on collection and portrayal of the archive, the material, methods, memories that combine to create a reflection of the self and lived experiences—is on display at Satrang Art Gallery.

The artists, Affan Baghpati, Dua Abbas Rizvi, and Imran Ali Kazmi, in this exhibition work with the archive in their own ways, looking to their own or a larger repertoire of lived experiences, material remains and fictional narratives to create alternative histories and current realities.

Rizvi said, "My art is predominantly about women's lives and history and I look to autobiography and family archives to broach this broader subject. In recent years, my work has moved from a pictorial representation of women and their stories to an exploration of how women gather and pass on stories and articulate their own and their family's histories."

While Baghpati said, "I work with items from different cultures to understand the gaps and disconnections of the present time. Object-making techniques and borrowed imagery are part of my studio practice." Material culture with non-material culture is one of the recurring ideas in my work. These combinations of various materials are joyful constructs for me, and they provide counterarguments that are contrary and symmetrical to the norms in the socio-politics of today, he added.

“Beauty alone is not art, but art can be made of, about or for beautiful things,” said Kazmi, adding that his work addresses an expression of how he has developed and experienced the essence of art, beauty and life - in contrast to the world he grew up in.

“To me, the philosophy of art and its magnificence make an individual feel positive and alive - I try to channel and express this concept through my paintings. In my paintings, I express my feelings rather than illustrate them. It doesn't matter what or who I paint, ordinary or extraordinary, as long as I am successful in conveying emotion to the viewer.”

The show runs till 30 March.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 19^th, 2022.