Infusing patriotism in art: Painting a Pakistani picture, artists showcase their national spirit

Around 32 artists presented their works at the forum provided by Grandeur Gallery.

KARACHI:

With their own unique styles and compositions, 32 artists showcased their works on the theme of ‘Independence Day’ at an exhibition organised by Nashmia Ahmed of Grandeur Art Gallery.

The show, which opened on Thursday, will run at the Alliance Francaise till today [Saturday].

While artists Akram Paul and Imran Zaib put together their pieces exclusively for this show, other artists exhibited their selective work.

Veteran artist Akram Paul’s painting, titled Spreading love for Independence, showed confetti, representing celebrations, being sprinkled from an airplane. The painting also featured the Pakistani flag and Shaheen [falcon] to symbolically represent Pakistan’s essence. His other painting, titled The Blooming Breeze of Independence, showed flags hanging from a wire in a row.

For his pieces, painter Imran Zaib chose to illustrate pigeons made out of words of Urdu language, including Ishq, Mohabbat and Aman. His paintings had already been bought by an avid art-lover working at the US Consulate in Karachi.



Not digressing from his signature style, Omar Farid displayed his works of surrealism. “My art is exclusive - it’s my fingers that do wonders which is why I find it hard to explain my art to others,” he said, adding that lovers of art could interpret the painting any way they want.

Farid was not the only artist talking about abstract art construed via deeper thoughts, renowned painter Inam Raja also took the same path. Raja said that he wanted to put up his works inspired by Mother Nature so that people could appreciate nature more. “My paintings are about life,” he said, adding that they were works of imagination which divulged the importance of fertility and reproduction.

The exhibition also featured artworks of prominent female artists, Sabiha Nasruddin and Shakira Masood. The latter, also owner of the ArtChowk Gallery, said she usually avoids putting up her works for display at a public forum.  “But this was a rare opportunity and I wanted to be part of my friend’s [Nashmia] endeavour,” she said. Her piece, titled When the Americans Come Visiting, shows a large drone painted with lucid colours.

Recalling her earlier exhibitions, Nashmia Ahmed told The Express Tribune that she initially wanted to do an all-female show but decided to approach male artists as well. “Such exhibitions are rare since you don’t get to see works of so many artists in one go,” she said. The event was also attended by the Malaysian Deputy High Commissioner, Naeem Khan, who along with his friend, appreciated the paintings on display.

“I believe artists have a knack for inspiring people,” said Rizwan Sami, a freelance journalist who came to the art show. “It’s great to see artists’ zeal to motivate people [for Independence Day] with their imagery.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 24^th, 2013.