Art of politics: Marvi paints socio-political landscape

Former lawmaker explores various facets of discrimination.

ISLAMABAD:

Not old to protests or politics, but this is the first time the PML-N leader Marvi Memon has stepped into the world of art.

In her paintings that went on display at the Nomad Gallery on Monday, Memon has incorporated the socio-economic and political struggle she has seen in her four years of political office. The exhibition is titled ‘Discriminations’ and is a highly abstract and expressionist exploration of Pakistan’s socially volatile landscape.

Memon shared that she has been painting since childhood. She was tutored by Nahid Raza and later went on to study watercolours in France. However, more than the technique, her work is primarily dependant on the content and context of her work, the underpinning political commentary.

“The paintings have an underlying theme of old and new politics. Discrimination is at its height in the old form of politics but relief is provided when we get a combination of the wisdom of old politics and a vision of new politics,” said Memon.

The artist has tried to capture her struggle for the acid legislation, against the injustices of karo kari and the concept of women’s empowerment.

“My struggle for survival of minorities and Shias is woven into the collection. So are the protests I have been part of and the bullets they have resulted in,” added Memon.

Though she collects her inspiration from the struggles of the masses, the work’s highly expressionist derivation gives her paintings an overwhelming subjective reception, which highlights more of Memon’s personal perception rather than collective experiences.

The exhibition, which will end on July 31, was well-received by an audience consisting mostly of friends and peers, while a few artists dropped by to critique the new artist’s work.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2012.