Beyond realism: Capturing landscapes in rich colours and textures

Sabeeha Nasir’s work goes up on display.

RAWALPINDI:

For her first solo exhibition, Sabeeha Nasir has moved away from her forte of realist paintings and depicts landscapes and urban skylines. Her collection, painted over the years, went up on display at the Rawalpindi Arts Council Gallery on Wednesday.

The 92 pieces consist of oil-on-canvas, water colours and even charcoal. The twin cities’ visitors can easily recognise many of the places painted in and around Islamabad as well as Murree and Abbottabad.

The texture and feel of the paintings seems very real and that perhaps is where her realism streak comes in.

“I always paint on the spot, I don’t believe in taking pictures and then painting. “On the spot, I can capture the light and feel of the place perfectly,” she said.

MNA Malik Abrar Ahmed, accompanied by Naheed Manzoor and Resident Director Waqar Ahmed, inaugurated the exhibition, which was also attended by Kusdiana, Councillor Social and Cultural Affairs at the Indonesian embassy.

Visitors praised the use of rich colours and textures to bring out the scenery in the paintings. “It feels as if she captured the image on canvas like a picture,” said Amna, a visitor at the event.

Ahmed was of the opinion that Nasir has a magical skill, with which she replicates the essence of the vignette on canvas.

Depicting various times of the day and seasons, the artist shows great skill capturing the trees swaying in the breeze. Her love for nature comes through in her work.

Although having many group shows under her belt, Nasir now feels that after retirement she will have more spare time to concentrate on working towards more solo exhibits. The exhibition will continue till June 2.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2012.