Exhibit: Different dimensions, one showcase

Four artists collaborate to present their individual works at Nomad.

ISLAMABAD: In a fresh showcase, four artists presented their work at Nomad Gallery on Saturday. Diversified in both outlook and approach, each brought something new to the table. The featured artists are Mughees Riaz, Mashkoor Raza, Ufaq Ahsan and Arjumand Hussain.

Inspired by Claude Monet’s rendition of sunset, Riaz has come out with his own brand of landscapes. Under a Punjab sunset, there are buffaloes and crows that lend his work an almost rustic feel. However, what distinguishes him from most run-of-the-mill landscape artists is his command over light
and space, a luminescence that comes with years of practice.

His method involves finishing a piece in three days and topping it off with layers of oil paint. “I prefer painting by the Ravi River, along the outskirts of Lahore,” he said. Beholding a sunset in mind, he paints from memory for “as long a time as the light allows”. Riaz holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of the Punjab.

Next up, Raza’s geometrical shapes create transparency, abstracting the silhouettes of women and horses. His influences include the solar eclipse and he has painted the moon and an eclipsed sun. He has also received the Pride of Performance award.

In her work, Ahsan utilises mixed media to “harmonise” the various aspects of life. Her blend of colours creates a sense of peace and harmony for her and viewers. She has participated in a number of national-level art competitions and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from National College of the Arts Lahore.

Moving on, Hussain started out without any formal training and developed his own abstract compositions. In bold colours, his work reflects his interest in music, poetry and photography. There is a sense of balance and symmetry in all of his pieces. A hotelier by profession, he is an avid photographer. The exhibition will continue till December 30.

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