Calligraphy exhibition: Artist uses greens and reds to ‘evoke happiness’

70 paintings are for sale between Rs10,000 and Rs50,000.

LAHORE:

A calligraphy exhibition by Imran Sultan opened at the Lahore Art Council on Monday.

The artist, who says he is inspired by colours in nature, has earlier showcased his work in France, Italy and Iran. This is his first solo exhibition in Pakistan in nine years.

More than 70 pieces, most of them acrylic on canvas, are on display at the exhibition that will run till September 26.

Sultan said he had abundantly used green and red as they appealed to him most.

“Green is the colour of peace, while red evokes happiness,” he said.

Sultan said he had learned calligraphy from his father. He said he had not attended any art school.

Speaking about the appreciation of his work at home and abroad, Sultan complained that in Pakistan people were righter indifferent or hyper critical. “Artists in Milan, Italy, and Iran appreciated my work to an extent that they voluntarily arranged workshops for me to teach artists from 10 other countries. New artists are encouraged there,” he said.

In Pakistan, he said, it was different.

“The artists see me as a rival,” he added.

Most of the pieces cost between Rs10,000 and Rs50,000.  Five of them were sold within an hour of the opening. Sultan said he had priced the pieces with a view to encourage people to buy art rather than replicas.

Renowned calligraphers Ustad Irfan Ahmad, Ustad Ikram, Munawarul Hassan, and Rana Riyaz attended the exhibition.

Curator Tanya Suhail said she had seen such a large number of people at an opening after a long time.

Sultan’s work will be removed from display for a day on September 18 to make way for a one-day exhibition on bonded labour but will be back on display on September 19.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th, 2012.