Revivers Art Gallery: An exploration of Mughal architecture and calligraphy

Exhibit of 30 paintings by Sarfaraz Musawwir closes Jan 25.

LAHORE:

An exhibition of 30 paintings on Mughal architecture and calligraphy by Sarfaraz Musawwir will run at the Revivers Art Galleria until January 25.

The artist said that he had sold seven pieces at the opening on Friday, January 11, and hoped to sell the rest before the exhibition concludes. The paintings, most of them in shades of red, green and yellow, are priced between Rs25,000 and Rs225,000.

Though Mughal architecture and calligraphy is not a new theme when it comes to the local art scene, the artist said that he had approached the subject differently. “I have tried installing more vivid elements into each painting, rather than focus on a single building or time from the Mughal period,” he said.



The artists said that he studied writings on monuments as well as seals and stamps from the Mughal era. “I have also tried to focus more on the fresco works and patterns in domes, minarets, ceilings and certain mosques built during the time of Shah Jehan,” he added.

Musawwir, who is based in Karachi, has held 11 solo shows previously, but this is the first time he is exhibiting pieces made only with oil paints. He was trained in water colours at the Mashkoor School of Art, Karachi. He has showed his work in Bahrain, the UAE, England, Scotland, Canada, Singapore and Dubai. One of his paintings was recently selected by the International Water Colour Society, based in Turkey, for its annual magazine.

Musawwir said he planned to take the exhibition to Karachi after the show in Lahore concludes.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2013.