Thesis display: NCA students wow visitors with their creativity

Out of 12 fine arts students, five earned distinctions.

ISLAMABAD:

After four years of gruelling sessions and endless series of experimentations and discussions, fine arts graduates of the National College of Arts, Rawalpindi, displayed their theses.

Out of 12 students, five earned distinctions while two received honours by the jury comprising Ayisha Khalid, a miniature artist, art critic Nafisa Rizwi and sculptor David Elsworth.

Perhaps the new age has finally arrived in the twin cities as students boldly experimented with contemporary ideas. Fatima Amin, a miniature student who was awarded a distinction, experiments with memories in her work. The artist deftly dealt with the subject matter as she creates a “cemetery” of memories stacked with minute boxes that are left for the viewers to open themselves in view of their experiences.



Open a box and you may find a painting, in another you may experience a whiff of a scent, or a little bottle with a drink. “I’ve explored the fictional nature of memories, which not only sustain us but re-emerge, fade and confront us when we least expect them,” stated Fatima.

Heera Shakoor, a distinction holder, uses mixed media to paint herself but disregards vanity as she paints her mirror image bald and without facial hair, her skill with the brush is apparent in the subtle detailing.

Shayan Ahmed, perhaps in his attempt to be innovative, sculpts little babies as he hangs them by a tree in different colours. While the sculptures of the babies may be well-structured, the concept itself seemed to fall a little flat.

Students give free reign to their imagination, while creating artworks. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID/EXPRESS

Ayesha Hussain, taking inspiration from the ugly duckling story by Hans Christian Anderson, deconstructs fairy tales and their stereotypical standards and completes her pieces with a more archival approach. “My practice involves deconstructing fairytales and then footnoting them into real life,” stated Ayesha. Some installations could also be seen in Shanze Zohre’s work, who constructs characters with bulbs and wires.

Amongst the printmakers, a graduate who earned honours, Xahra Hafeez uses symbols such as suitcases and watermelons to overcome obstacles. “It’s a journey of a girl who is trying to let go of the things she held dear in life. There are times when you give your dreams so much importance that they become a burden. So in my work I mock my dreams,” explained Xahra, as she uses a balloon to symbolise her getaway ride.

For many this was a learning journey as one student hugged her friend, saying, “It’s actually over!” Some of the work was exemplary while some was perhaps lost in translation.

Be it self-discovery or a well-researched subject, the students managed to put out work that perhaps speaks for them and their skill. Here’s hoping these young artists manage to carve a name for themselves in the world. “I’m very proud of all the students, their work is commendable,” said miniature teacher Saima Ali.

The thesis display continues till January 12.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2013.