Artist uses surrealism to tie fantasies with religion

Two paintings from the series have been put up in Asia House, London.

KARACHI:

Psychiatrist by day and artist by night, Dr Syed Ali Wasif draws inspiration from Islam for his latest exhibition by narrating stories of the prophets through oil on canvas.

“The only form of art that exists in connection to the Holy Book is perhaps calligraphy, but its interpretation through paintings has never been done before,” says Dr Wasif.

The exhibition, ‘Disintegration of Broken Souls and Fantasies’, which opened at Citi Art Gallery on Saturday, is based on the theme of fantasies. “I’ve tried to pick up on what’s happening around me - fantasies which evolve and struggle to survive in this geopolitical environment,” explains Dr Wasif, who was mentored by world-renowned artist Sadequain. “Fantasies are not always playful or entertaining and can be distracting and frightening, but they provide temporary escape if we don’t mistake them for reality.”

His inclination to paint these images, however, came from chapters in the Holy Quran, in particular Surah Al Araf and Surah Yusuf. “People should not be afraid of talking about religion or painting it - it’s a way of sharing knowledge.”

The artist is well aware that he is treading on sensitive turf with this exhibition as such paintings, in the artist’s own words, “makes people uncomfortable.” While talking to The Express Tribune, Dr Wasif said that friends and acquaintances had approached him about using the nude art form in his works. “My paintings in 2009 also featured nude art work - but neither those nor these are erotic. It doesn’t always exploit human body.”

He says that these images portray death or anguish. “Painting pretty pictures or faces for the sake of art is a sin on the part of artists,” he mused. “Every piece should have a message.”

When asked if his career as a psychiatrist extends to his work as an artist, he says, “My medical profession is interesting but often distressing. There is always pain, misery, mishap and hopelessness.”

But art is his catharsis. “This is what brings me relief and what allows me to escape. I translate my fantasies and emotions on to a canvas so that I can clear my mind.”

The exhibition will run at the Citi Art Gallery till November 10.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2012.