Artistic expression: A pioneer identifies herself through her pottery
Alam is Pakistan’s first female studio potter.
ISLAMABAD:
A rare collection of exquisite pottery items by Sheherezade Alam went up on display at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts on Friday.
Alam has the distinction of being Pakistan’s first female studio potter in the early 1970s. She established LAAL, an artists’ collective, whose mission it is to educate children about their culture and heritage.
As many as 150 art pieces have been exhibited featuring various styles of glazed clay pots in vibrant colours are on display at the exhibition titled “I am the vessel, I am the vessel maker, I am the clay of the vessel”.
Alam’s art depicts her involvement with handcrafted clay objects as a long and fascinating saga which serves as a role model for ceramists today. Her work invites the viewers to explore the dramatic elements of earth, fire, water and air. She explored excavated sites in Mehergarh Moenjodaro and Harappa, studying the line and profile of the ancient pieces before setting up her own studio in Lahore.
Her forms are fluid as they express effortlessly a vibrant energy and encapsulate the essence of time standing still as it spans across thousands of years from the Indus Valley Civilization through ancient cultures and the Islamic period to the island of extremely refined sensibilities, Japan.
The display includes bowls, plates, vessels, vases and mugs which the artist created from1985 to 2011. The ancient shapes present the modifications of mystical traditions in the post-modern world. Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of National Heritage and Integration, the exhibition will continue till June 24.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 19th, 2012.
A rare collection of exquisite pottery items by Sheherezade Alam went up on display at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts on Friday.
Alam has the distinction of being Pakistan’s first female studio potter in the early 1970s. She established LAAL, an artists’ collective, whose mission it is to educate children about their culture and heritage.
As many as 150 art pieces have been exhibited featuring various styles of glazed clay pots in vibrant colours are on display at the exhibition titled “I am the vessel, I am the vessel maker, I am the clay of the vessel”.
Alam’s art depicts her involvement with handcrafted clay objects as a long and fascinating saga which serves as a role model for ceramists today. Her work invites the viewers to explore the dramatic elements of earth, fire, water and air. She explored excavated sites in Mehergarh Moenjodaro and Harappa, studying the line and profile of the ancient pieces before setting up her own studio in Lahore.
Her forms are fluid as they express effortlessly a vibrant energy and encapsulate the essence of time standing still as it spans across thousands of years from the Indus Valley Civilization through ancient cultures and the Islamic period to the island of extremely refined sensibilities, Japan.
The display includes bowls, plates, vessels, vases and mugs which the artist created from1985 to 2011. The ancient shapes present the modifications of mystical traditions in the post-modern world. Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of National Heritage and Integration, the exhibition will continue till June 24.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 19th, 2012.