Art show: Bold strokes, soft colours, big impact

The absence of abrasive, loud colours is a breath of fresh air.

ISLAMABAD:

Hajra Mansoor’s paintings at Nomad Gallery, depicting feminine beauty, are breathtakingly beautiful.

Mansoor, who has been painting for 40 years and is a renowned artist, was recently awarded the special title of Safir-e-Mashriq (ambassador of the east) in addition to a Pride of Performance national award. She is known for painting diverse genres such as classism, oriental formalism and neo-romanticism.

The gallery showcases 40 pieces painted in soft pastel colours. At times her work, depicting doe eyed female characters, seems like an abundance of perfection until she shifts to more serious issues, portraying a female domestic violence victim, morally and physically abused by her husband. Instead of using harsh, abrasive colours to depict socially unjust situations, her work achieves the same impact with softer colours.

When asked about the underlying theme of her show, she said, “I am more interested in technique rather than themes [in my work].”

Using mainly water colours and fix wash methods for her work, her technique is easy to see and bold brush strokes give the illusion of simplicity. The artist believes that the paintings are an insight to her world and showcases her individual style.

Exquisite in nature and pleasing to the aesthetic eye her work is simultaneously simple, complex and individualistic. The show is a must-see for Islamabad’s art connoisseurs and amateur art lovers alike and will run till October 31.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 20^th, 2011.