‘The Mirage of Artisans’: Rawalpindi to get its fair share of colours

Work of 22 artists to be exhibited in the group display.

ISLAMABAD:

An exhibition featuring paintings and calligraphy by 22 artists will open at the Rawalpindi Institute of Art and Design (RIAD) today.

To celebrate the versatility of local contemporary art scene and upcoming artists, the group art exhibition titled, “The Mirage of Artisans,” will feature works of artists from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Swat, Karachi and Lahore.

The event aims to create a hub of artistic treasure for those who want to enjoy the mysticism and the holistic approach of the artists, said RIAD Director Saira Alam. She added that the medium of art is source of tranquillity for the artists as well the audience.

“This is our second exhibition at the gallery and the collection ranges from realism to abstract and from contemporary to traditional,” said Sobia Tassaddaq, the gallery’s curator and one of the featured artists.

‘Mirage of Artistans’ showcases a brilliant array of artwork created using varying media. PHOTO: EXPRESS

Zunaira Saeed Khan’s work is a fusion of abstract imagery and rhythmic lines, captured in vibrant colours. According to Khan, nature reflects one’s inner feelings and has dedicated her work to explore what the nature has to offer. Khan is the assistant curator of the gallery and head of the Textile Design department at the institute.

Of the twenty-two artists, Murad Khan’s paintings unveil the traditional scripture technique with the used semi-precious stones and earthen tones in his calligraphic script while Nafisa Athar’s work, based in water colours, is a unique blend of refined aesthetic concepts. Arif Khan uses the unique leather collage as a medium to illustrate calligraphy while Mohammed Sarwar, Hamesh Gul and Matlub focus on rural realism and portray the natural beauty in their exquisite art work.

The event will exhibit a vast array of artistic variety including Mariam Haider’s work with abstract imagery to paint lucid landscapes and Sobia Tassadduq’s landscapes portraying mystical wholeness. Faiza Khan, an expressionist, combines socio-political issues and complex human emotions in her abstract oil paintings whereas Mahboob Ali explores myth and spirituality in his art pieces.

Other participants include Ahmed Anwar, Ajab Khan, Altaf Ahmad, Farrah Sajjad, Haleem Bareach, Hamid Nasir, Hanif Khan, M Arshad, Nahida Raza and Shahid Chohan.

The exhibition will continue till September 18.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14^th, 2013.