Ancient Mehrgarh motifs inspire modern art

Exhibition by Dr Shaista Hyder brings the ancient Indus precursor site to life

ISLAMABAD:

An exhibition inspired by Mehrgarh, one of the earliest Neolithic and Chalcolithic sites in South Asia, opened in Islamabad, showcasing the artistic continuity from ancient civilisations to contemporary visual expression.

Mehrgarh, located on the Kachi Plain near the Bolan Pass in Balochistan and dating back to around 7000 BCE, is considered a direct precursor to the Indus Valley Civilization. Discovered in 1974 by French archaeologist Jean François Jarrige, the site provides some of the earliest evidence of settled life in South Asia.

The exhibition, led by Dr Shaista Hyder, reinterprets ancient forms through a striking black-and-white palette. Her works focus on pottery motifs, geometric patterns, and terracotta figurines, including representations of the Mother Goddess, translating historical symbols into contemporary art while maintaining their cultural essence.

One of the highlights, 'Flora and Fauna: The Shapes of Mehrgarh', explores motifs related to plants, animals, and pottery shapes, emphasizing cultural continuity and preserving fragile archaeological symbols.

The event drew a large audience of artists, archaeologists, historians, and scholars, including notable international delegates from France. Among the distinguished attendees were Marc Piton, French Cultural Counsellor; Irum Rehman, President of Alliance Française Islamabad; and Meraj Butt.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Hyder said her work aims to make the visual language of early civilizations accessible to scholars, researchers, and the wider public, while keeping the creative legacy of Mehrgarh alive.

The exhibition also sparked discussions among archaeologists on the role of contemporary art in preserving and reactivating ancient histories.