66 young artists bring magic at Full Circle Gallery

Karachi is third largest art market in region, site where many established artists have propelled their careers

KARACHI:

Behind New Delhi and Mumbai, Karachi is the third largest art market in the region and the site where many established artists have propelled their careers. In such a landscape steeped in economics, some artists have faced criticism for pandering to buyer tastes instead of creating new knowledge. That made 'Funky Flora' held last month at Full Circle Gallery even more refreshing. Curated by artist and teacher Ayesha Shariff, the 66 artists-some only seven-year old-created works that seem to vibrate and rejoice.

Entering the intimate space of small chambers, pillars, and angles, you are hit by an onrush of colours. Bubblegum, gold, turquoise; there are fireworks and starry skies. A cat peeks out here; lollipop leaves hang there; flamingoes, lightbulbs and books hang from trees; branches coil and unfurl. 120 canvases, big and small, painted over the course of a year, keep your eye in motion. The freeness of it all, the wild abandon and celebration jumped out at you from all sides.

One room was dedicated to spangled minaret paintings, where domes are silhouetted against a sky festooned with Ramzan lights. Snow falls on the whole scene like stars. The show's 'flora' could be characters in a book: leaves play the part of leopards and tigers, lurking in mysterious jungles, cacti resplendent like peacocks, ferns like playful dancers. The array of flowers-some are squares and rectangles emerging from angular vases, some are fruity orbs swelling from goblets. Others have the visual power of a Bashir Mirza, thick black strokes, and primary colours. It is a credit to their teacher that there are no stifled voices; each child's skill and personality are showcased.

What could easily be a bizarre show is hung so beautifully by Shariff, where the paintings seem to converse with each other--colours jumping from the walls, scuffling, giggling. They are extending their tubular leaves, their happy flowers. "I want to fill my house with them," one gallery visitor said. The paintings are much like curator Shariff's art studio, Canvas Courtyard, an open-air space in Clifton with a jubilant and relaxed vibe. After a rewarding teaching career at several leading colleges and universities, she launched the on-site and online studio for children and adults, calling it her 'dream project.'

Most artists didn't want to sell their work because it was so precious to them. This honesty and fulfillment shone through, in fact, it sang. The opening was visited by crowds of hundreds, with a special giddiness and excitement. Some of the young artists had never stepped into a gallery; now they had their name and paintings emblazoned on the wall.

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Writer Saira Leghari described the show as lit by the young artists 'inner voice and spirit' and how all came to "celebrate and breathe in the fresh hope' that abounded. The evening commenced with a special prayer for Palestine by Hiba Masood. The moment, along with the luscious paintings, helped the audience see light and promise in the future.

The artists who exhibited their works included Aaliya Faruqi, Aamina Faruqi, Aisha Vohra, Aniyah Husain, Arya Hussain, Azmay Qureshi, Eesa Shariff, Khadija Mustafa, Haadiya Baig, and Hamnah lrshad.

Moreover, Hassan Causer, Mina Manzoor, Mahnoor Zamin, Maryam Ali, Natalya Ghani, Noor Shafi, Reyah Qayyum, Saamiyah Saad, Yasmeen Ali, Yahya Shariff, Zainab Mirza, and Zaahid Causer also showcased their artwork.

Paintings by Zara Kerai, Zara Salman, Zayyan Omair, Zeniya Yawar, Zaydaan Mashkoor, Zarrar Shamsi, Zara Salman, Zain Shamsi, Zainab Halai, Zohray Siddiqui, Suroor Faruqi, Shanum Faruqui, Sarah Usman, Sarah Khan, Saniya Sabzwari, Sanaa Khurram, Mustafa Husain, Mekail Hasan, Momina Ahmed, Mobin Fayzan, Misha Siddiqui, Meher Halai, Marium Asad and Jibrael Pai, were also present.

Ismat Haji, Inaaya Hassan, Iman Shafi, Ibraheem Hussain, Hina lnam, Hiba Azeem, Haya Jamal, Haneen Yawar, Hadiya Khan, Fatima Ali, Emaan Wali, Ayeza Khurram, Amna Usman, Ameenah Obaid, Altan Ansari, Amal Siddiqui, Alayha Gilani, Aania Manzoor, and Aaira Baweja displayed their artwork too.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2023.