‘Fly on the Wall’ opens at PNCA

Group exhibit features works of national, int’l photographers

ISLAMABAD:

A group photography exhibition, featuring the works of both national and international photographers, who offer a profound exploration of their diverse perspectives and compelling narratives, was opened at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts on Friday.

The group show titled, ‘Fly on the Wall’ curated by Aasim Akhtar, features the works of Ali Mehdi Zaidi, Arif Mehmood, Ayesha Vellani, Aysha Bilal, Hamid Moinuddin, Lukas Werth, Malcom Hutcheson, Shehzad Noorani, Stephan Andrew, William Dalrymple and Zaheer Chaudry.

Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Y Kistafin, inaugurated the show in a grand ceremony. PNCA Director-General Ayub Jamali was also present. The opening ceremony witnessed the presence of renowned photographers Ayesha Bilal, Zaheer Chaudhry, and Arif Mehmood.

Read: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2452522/a-mirrors-tale-on-display-at-pnca

Under the theme of “Retelling the Story of Pakistani Photographers’ Journey,” Aasim Akhtar’s curation aims to provide a fresh perspective on the profound and often overlooked work of Pakistani photographers. The show emphasises the importance of revisiting their narratives, fostering connections among peers, and encouraging a collective reflection on their shared responsibility as witnesses to history.

This exhibition defies conventional expectations, rejecting hierarchy and showcasing a diverse array of works that coalesce to form a captivating narrative. Aasim Akhtar’s selection process focused on initiating a dialogue among the photographers, allowing them to communicate with each other through their images and share their unique visions with the public. As Aasim Akhtar aptly puts it, “I have eschewed hierarchy because, in photography, it does not exist. What does exist is a deep mutual respect. No photographer is greater than another, no genre nobler than the next.”

The exhibition showcases the convergence of diverse views, turning the photographers’ gaze on the world, scrutinising it fragment by fragment. Each photograph, regardless of style or subject, serves as a testament to the photographers' compulsive urge to bear witness to the human experience.

The show will remain on display for public viewing at PNCA till 13 February 2024.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2024.