Glass fusion, staining techniques on display at LAC

The artists have already displayed work in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

LAHORE:

An exhibition of nearly 300 jewellery items, sculptures and pottery employing glass fusion and staining techniques opened at the Lahore Art Council on Monday.

The works by artists Rukhsana Rajput and Saiful Haq are the first show featuring glass works in many years at the LAC.

Rajput, who has been working with glass with her husband Haq since 1995, said she liked to make pottery pieces such as trays, plates, decorative vases and bowls. “My husband is more interested in stained glass work, tiles and sculptures,” she said.

Rajput is an economics graduate while her husband is a professional graphic designer who has studied at the National College of Arts. Together they have experimented in manufacturing but are now focusing on making glass products only.

“We have had several shows – in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi,” she said.

The two got their first big break with the show in 2000 at the NCA gallery for which they had produced work supervised by Zahoorul Ikhlaq. “He encouraged us to use glass to make boards and scrolls and try painting on it. Since then we have been expanding the range of work using glass as the medium,” she said.

Tanya Suhail, curator of the Alhamra Art Gallery, said the response to the show was excellent. She said many pieces had been sold.

On March 19, Rukhsana Rajput and Saiful Haq  had to bring in some more work for display at the gallery. The jewellery has been designed by their friend Anushey.

Rajput said they had hosted a show after a while as they were mostly doing “commissioned work.” “Many architects and interior designers have sought our advice regarding incorporating glass sculptures in buildings. Sometimes we also get commissioned to make certain glass sculptures for them,” she said. The two work from their studio at their home at the Punjab Housing Society close to Defence.

The pieces will remain on display until March 25.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2013.