Artists exhibit best works at anniversary show

Gallery 6 marks 18 years of curating art and culture in capital

ISLAMABAD:

The "18th Anniversary Show" opens at Gallery 6 today, bringing together 24 distinguished artists whose works collectively reflect the richness and diversity of Pakistani art.

While the exhibition marks eighteen years of Gallery 6, its true significance lies in the remarkable range of artistic voices and visual narratives presented through different genre of paintings. Each artist contributes a distinct visual language shaped by years of practice and reflection.

For instance, artists Akram Dost confronts violence, injustice, and suffering through distorted figures and emotionally charged imagery that serve both as testimony and resistance. Asif Ahmed, on the other hand, revisits the visual history of the British Raj through drawings based on colonial-era photographs, evoking faded memories of loss, sacrifice and the lingering shadows of empire.

A strong spiritual and philosophical dimension is evident in many artworks. Ali Abbas Syed draws inspiration from the Thar Desert and the Sufi traditions of Sindh, painting nomadic tribes, mystics and sacred gatherings that preserve a deeply rooted cultural heritage. Meher Afrose layers acrylics, gold and silver leaf, thread and handmade paper into meditative compositions exploring comparative religions and shared human narratives. Likewise, Muhammad Zeeshan presents works charged with existential inquiry, devotion, and metaphysical reflection. While Sana Arjumand explores the vast internal landscape within every individual, where thoughts and spiritual frequencies create a personal topography.

The exhibition also highlights artists who have developed highly individual approaches to abstraction and formal exploration.