Moeen Faruqi captures the alienation that defines life in big cities
His work, which consists of 19 paintings, is on display at the Canvas Gallery till March 28.
Moeen Faruqi’s ‘Endless Happiness’ speaks of the joys and sorrows of Karachi. His work is on display at the Canvas Gallery till March 28. PHOTO COURTESY: CANVAS GALLERY
The feeling of alienation experienced by people living in big cities, such as Karachi, has been captured on canvas by eminent artist Moeen Faruqi. His work, which consists of 19 paintings and has been developed over the course of past one and a half year, is being exhibited at the Canvas Gallery.
“I have been painting and exhibiting my work for about 20 years now,” Faruqi told The Express Tribune. “This collection speaks about the sense of estrangement that defines urban life. Globalisation has made cities very interconnected and similar but it has also increased distances between people.”
Faruqi explained that he wanted his work to speak to the viewer. “I have used a lot of faces in my work to show the drama that occurs when people interact. The paintings come together in a magical way,” he added. “They are narrative and each piece tells a story. However, I want the viewer to decide how he interprets the story.”
He then explained why he had also painted some large portraits. “They are meant to elicit a response from the viewer,” he explained. “When the viewer sees large-sized faces, I want them to think about themselves and their own lives. I want them to recognise themselves in the paintings.”
One particular piece developed by Faruqi titled ‘Karachi Kahani’ consists of nine separate canvases, which have been put together to make one painting. “Each of the nine canvases is like a window looking onto Karachi,” said Faruqi. “They narrate all the glorious struggles Karachi has faced. It shows the city in its entirety.”
For gallery director Sameera Raja, the manner in which Faruqi has uses colours made his collection unique. “The best thing about his work is that he leaves it open to the reader to interpret it the way he wishes.”
The exhibition, which opened on March 19, is running till March 28.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2013.
“I have been painting and exhibiting my work for about 20 years now,” Faruqi told The Express Tribune. “This collection speaks about the sense of estrangement that defines urban life. Globalisation has made cities very interconnected and similar but it has also increased distances between people.”
Faruqi explained that he wanted his work to speak to the viewer. “I have used a lot of faces in my work to show the drama that occurs when people interact. The paintings come together in a magical way,” he added. “They are narrative and each piece tells a story. However, I want the viewer to decide how he interprets the story.”
He then explained why he had also painted some large portraits. “They are meant to elicit a response from the viewer,” he explained. “When the viewer sees large-sized faces, I want them to think about themselves and their own lives. I want them to recognise themselves in the paintings.”
One particular piece developed by Faruqi titled ‘Karachi Kahani’ consists of nine separate canvases, which have been put together to make one painting. “Each of the nine canvases is like a window looking onto Karachi,” said Faruqi. “They narrate all the glorious struggles Karachi has faced. It shows the city in its entirety.”
For gallery director Sameera Raja, the manner in which Faruqi has uses colours made his collection unique. “The best thing about his work is that he leaves it open to the reader to interpret it the way he wishes.”
The exhibition, which opened on March 19, is running till March 28.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2013.