Ism-e-Azam: Holy script in bright hues

A fine mix of Arabic letters and cubism technique go on display at the Gallery Louvre.

ISLAMABAD:

An artist of international acclaim, Mohammad Ali Bukhari, showcased a lively collection titled “Ism-e-Azam” (names of Allah) at the Gallery Louvre on Tuesday.

His work is an interesting mix of calligraphy and semi-abstract compositions. After graduating from Karachi School of Arts, he went on to train at Rome’s Alubuman School of Arts, where he earned recognition for his sharp bright colours.

It is these vibrant colours that make his artwork stand out: large canvases painted with splashes of bright red, green, gold and yellow with bold and abstract brush strokes with layers upon layers of colour. He goes on to engrave calligraphy onto those layers with a scalpel-like pen, which he designed himself.

This technique has allowed him to keep the bright colours and yet create a subtle effect with embossed calligraphy. The impasto technique of dealing with oil colours thickly layered, and densely daubed on canvas with palette knife has been deftly employed.

Bukhari’s training in Italy has strongly shaped his acumen with colours, which make his work original. The collection is far from the typical traditional Arabic calligraphy one often sees, as he mixes Arabic words and Cubism seem to compliment instead of conflict.

“I have to learn and practice a lot in order to go on painting well in a style that reflects and reinforces what I really want to do,” said Bukhari.

He has displayed dazzling seascapes and flowers that gently demonstrate his skill in handling layers upon emotive layers of colours, which he has painstakingly honed and heightened with a sense of creativity. The exhibition continues till February 21.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2012.