Capturing Pakistan: Photographers showcase country’s diversity

The exhibition was part of the Pakistan Independence Day celebrations.

ISLAMABAD:

As part of Independence Day celebrations, a photo exhibition was organised at the National Art Gallery (NAG) on Friday. Titled “Pakistan: the Land of Diverse Culture and Civilisations” the exhibition features 50 photographs by upcoming and celebrated photographers of the country.

“Like any other civilised nation, Pakistani photographers are also engaged in documenting, capturing, presenting and promoting the country’s rich and diverse panoramic landscape, nature’s changing moods and fleeting moments,” said NAG Director Visual Arts Division Mussarrat Nahid Imam, in a written statement.

As many as 20 photographers have participated in the exhibition.

Adil Riaz has an eye for detail. His work is derived from a wedding shoot, showing a beaming couple as they embark on a new journey of life together. In another shot, someone holds a thaali of flowers and garlands, as if heralding a Mehndi ceremony. The pictures are vivid and exude an almost golden glow, associated with matrimonial functions. A graduate of National College of the Arts, Riaz is a freelance photographer.



Through portraits of men and women, Mobeen Ansari explores different regions of the country. Enriched with colour and layered in texture, his subjects remain staring into the camera. Ansari has a penchant for expression and his work displays command over lighting.

Sajid Munir has captured the dynamism of kathak dance by the renowned classical dancer Nahid Siddiqi on stage. He brings out vivid details, subtleties of expression and thr grace of movement.

Azhar Hafeez’s love for landscape manifests itself in his photographs, captured mainly around Cholistan. He brings out vivid colours in the mundane rustic desert life.

Sobia Rehman has showcased some of her fieldwork from Lok Virsa’s Ethnological Museum, showing little girls seated against appliquéd linen. The photographs stand out for their neon colours and natural expression, juxtaposed into an appealing aesthetic.

Other photographers include Sultan Ali, Syed M.Safi, Zubair Osmani, Shaukat Malik, Shehzad Ahmad, Naseem Mughal, Khizar Rajput, Baroosh Ahsan, Ghazi Ghulam Raza, Adil Najam, Asad Ali, Afshan Yousaf and Aftab Ahmad Khan. The exhibition will continue until August 31.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2013.