Challenging the notions of preconceived beauty, five Lahore-based artists brought their work to the capital. National College of Arts graduates Ahsan Masood, Amra Khan, Maria Khan, Sarah Mumtaz and Mohsen Shafi, are all showcasing their artistic skills at the Rohtas Gallery under the theme “Imperfection”.
At first glance, it seems as if the artists have used imperfect bodies and faces to taunt the imperfections and portray beauty and its inflections in a sarcastic, almost sadistic manner. However, upon closer inspection, one begins to realise that the message is actually the exact opposite--accepting yourself.
Mumtaz depicts herself in all her work, portraying her personal struggle to evolve and become the confident woman she is today. Her work reaches out to deconstruct the conventional mindset of beauty in our society. “I show myself as I have gone through a struggle and I am very happy with the way I am. I may not be beautiful according to conventional standards, but I am happy with myself,” she said. Mumtaz has exhibited her works all over Pakistan and is currently completing a Masters in Visual Arts from NCA.
Shafi’s work, on the other hand, is a blend of photography, printmaking, digital and manual collages. Manual collages are the main focus of his work at the exhibition. The small, almost three dimensional collages depict people going about in their everyday routines with masks on-- to portray the false depiction of the self in a social setting.
Amra and Maria both have used lots of materials to put together their pieces, albeit in completely different manners. Amra, with the use of cheap materials, has managed to create beautiful Victorian-style picture frames that hold small paintings. The idea is to show the sham behind beautification; cheap materials can make beautiful things too.
“The paintings themselves are a portrayal of people in all their imperfections, yet resolute to be themselves, while some are shown trying in vain to glorify themselves through the purchase of expensive accessories in hopes that ornaments will beautify them,” said Amra.
Meanwhile, Maria has created etched paintings with layer-upon-layer of material depicting larger-than-life personalities which may seem repugnant and monstrous, but are actually laughing and simply happy to be the way they are. “These personalities are actually people I know and I wanted to portray how content they are just being themselves,” said Maria.
The starkest and perhaps most intriguing paintings though, are by Masood. His work showcases large nude figures that are trying to find comfort and acceptance of their physical appearance, and their struggle seems more personal. The viewer can almost feel the inner turmoil of the subjects, trying valiantly to portray themselves in an acceptable manner, yet still somehow managing to depict a slight emotion of vulgarity brimming under the surface.
The works put together complement and provide a variety of viewership and technique. The 25 pieces will be displayed at Rohtas till December 11.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 4th, 2011.
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