Exhibition: Gran Monarca exhibition attracts Islooites

Over 200 handmade wreaths displayed.

ISLAMABAD: Decorative wreaths are a somewhat of a rarity at the average household in country. However, they proved to be a hit at a day-long exhibition titled “Gran Monarca” (meaning great emperor in Spanish) at Serena hotel on Sunday.

The exhibition featured over 200 colourful wreaths designed by Shozab Shafeeq, an engineer who took up the art as a hobby. Shafeeq paired up with his cousin Mahjabeen Akhtar for the exhibition. “A majority of the wreaths are handmade and prepared from scratch. The decision to make wreaths was simple: we wanted to create affordable and appealing items,” he said.



The wreaths involved mixed media, consisting of artificial flowers, jute ropes, and even lace and ribbons wrapped around artistically giving mainly a minimal less is more touch. The overall effect of the wreaths remained bright with shades of yellow, purple, orange and blue. Some could be seen with artificial birds with hatched eggs while others consisted of little fairy lights.  Interestingly, round remained a predominant shape for the wreaths besides square-shaped ones

The prices ranged from Rs1,500, to Rs2,500 depending on the size and amount of effort put into the making of the wreaths. “In some, we have hand-crafted the flowers by cutting them from felt paper. All wreaths are made from an underlaying layer of cane, then crepe paper wrapped around it and finishing it off with ribbon or rope,” said Shafeeq.

The self-taught artist used YouTube tutorials to learn and craft the wreaths. The exhibition seemed to sell the items well, given that it is uncommon for Pakistani houses to have wreaths hanging on doors except maybe a handful during Christmas season.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st, 2013.