Contemporary art exhibit captures capital’s essence

A vibrant showcase of local contemporary art is currently enchanting visitors in the heart of the federal capital.

The exhibition, titled ‘Earth, Wind, Sky’, curated by the esteemed artist and critic Aasim Akhtar, has been drawing art enthusiasts to the Khaas Contemporary Gallery in Islamabad over the past month.

The show displays a diverse selection of artworks that serve as a window into the local contemporary art scene with creations crafted out of wasli paper and the experimental use of oil paint, metal and gunpowder on paper.

Notably, Tahira Noreen’s wasli art, crafted from precision cutting a special type of handmade paper which she gets custom made from Lahore, reflected the urbanism of art created from within a city setting.

“There’s a focus on lines in my work, their continuity and intentional breaks, each communicates movement in life and specifically, commuting in a city,” Tahira explained while speaking to The Express Tribune.

Some of her works are direct wasli renditions of Islamabad’s infrastructural landmarks such as the Zero Point flyover and its sprawling road networks. Wasli paper is made from layering multiple sheets and has been in use in the Subcontinent since the 10th century. It was especially used in the making of miniature Mughal paintings.

The use of traditional handcrafted paper in artwork that evokes the living development of an expanding urban centre like Islamabad represents the unique potential of Pakistani contemporary art.

The exhibition also featured the works of Maisam Hussain, who uses materials such as metal and gun powder to convey the experience of living in war-impacted regions, and Tahir Zaman, a multidisciplinary artist who captures intricate patterns found in nature by manipulating textures, lights and shadows.

The exhibition, which is still ongoing, has been visited and well received by notable patrons of the arts and personalities such as the ambassadors of Spain and Portugal.

The works of contemporary art are displayed for viewing for free at the Khaas gallery which is situated in Sector F-7. “More people need to be visiting art galleries and engaging with art in Islamabad. It can prove to be a thought-provoking and meaningful activity,” said Sania, the gallery’s assistant curator.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5^th, 2024.