The details in Erum’s painting give a rough idea of what the buildings might have lost with time. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL
“Expression of Feelings,” an exhibition of 26 painting by Erum Ashfaq opened at Jharoka Art Gallery on Tuesday showing the artist’s eye for the unexplored.
Through oil-on-canvas, she has showcased heritage buildings around Bhera, Chiniot, Kasur and Gujrat that need to be preserved and documented. While keeping the essence of the rustic life and traditional architecture, her own creativity is represented by the lush green orchards painted around the monuments and mosques and the intricate details of heavy wooden doors and jharokas breathe life in her work.
Ashfaq, an engineer by profession, took up painting at an early age but it was only after completing her education that she pursued her calling. In the pieces on display, she tries to explore beauty in contrasting shades of dark and light. “There is a play of light and dark shadows which sets the mood in each piece. It’s not just about preserving history but also letting the viewer feel the essence of the work,” said Ashfaq, who also heads the Punjab Municipal Services Improvement Project.
“While our cultural heritage is declining, the artist has infused a new life into the monuments and structures in the paintings. It is her way of preserving history,” said the gallery’s owner and curator, Naheed Raza.
Riffat Khattak, an artist and guest at the event, commended the artist and said, “The colour scheme very aptly portrays our rich culture and traditions. Such neatness is hard to come by in a debutante’s exhibition.”
Hungarian Ambassador Istavan Szabo, inaugurating the exhibition said, “I’ve seen some of these buildings in Lahore particularly the Shalimar Gardens but the artist has put some additional value, making them look even more beautiful than they really are now. I’m sure, decades ago, these buildings would have been how they are portrayed in the paintings.”
The exhibition will continue till October 2.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 25th, 2013.
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