Art: Divided between beauty and nature

Women and landscapes serve as Changez Sultan’s muses in exhibit.

ISLAMABAD:

Raja Changez Sultan might use women as his muse, but there is something mystical about his interpretation of the timeless subject.

Using a blend of neutrals and light colours, Sultan’s women, with sparsely populated regions and brightly coloured mystical figures, are both soft and supple with voluptuous bodies. Their pale skins have a hidden mystery lurking beneath the surface, forcing the connoisseur to “pause and contemplate on their sombreness and solemnity,” according to curator Noshi Qadar.

His latest collection, “Divided Self”, opened at Tanzara Art Gallery on Thursday.

“There are so many people that live within us and women subdivide more than men do,” Sultan told The Express Tribune. The exhibition is as much about the artist’s love for the mountains he spent two decades in, as it is about women “who have been a part of my life since the past 60 years – be it my mother, sister, wife, daughter – they have always been there”.

Part of the charm of his work may lie in how much it leaves itself open to interpretation with mist swirling around landscapes and figures. For the first time, the exhibition also features wood nymphs, spirit-like figures, in a landscape setting.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Awami National Party member Naseemur Rehman were present on the opening ceremony, along with socialites and art lovers.

“I love his work – his blues and landscapes – it soothes my soul just seeing it,” said art lover Asmat Ali.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10^th, 2012.