Art exhibition: Soul searching: reflections of self on canvas on display
Artists explore relationship with their inner selves, surroundings.
The exhibition depicts two artists’ journey of self-discovery. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID/EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
A collection of paintings and prints exploring the intertwined themes of identity and silent observation of the society by two artists, “Mein Houn, opened at the Nomad Gallery on Tuesday.
Poet and artist Raja Changez Sultan commended the struggle of curators and artists for their consistency in presenting art, while inaugurating the event. But he added that the capital’s art scene still lacked art created with unorthodox media.
Instead of painting within a bubble, the artists have boldly expressed socially-relevant ideas. “The theme holistically explores the identity of the artists by portraying how they individually feel and absorb happenings in their surroundings. The works are symbolic and exude colour and energy, which you don’t see enough of otherwise,” said the gallery’s curator, Nageen Hayat.
While talking to The Express Tribune, one of the artists, Tabassum Rizvi said, “I have an artistic identity of my own. Other than that, I’m a mother and a wife and I’m not working anywhere else. Its my work that lends me individuality as a person,” she added, associating her inner self with her character.
“The canvas of life is full of movement and colour and the depth of the strokes depict various facets that define the feeling of inner peace, happiness and most of all strength.”
Drawing the viewer in for their soft and delicate feel, her paintings have a rhythm and flow of their own with tones of turquoise, lilac and white complementing the light essence therein.
Nadeem Ahmed, a guest and an artist, said Rizvi’s current work deals with social, political and environmental themes as opposed to her previous collection where she had addressed personal relations and emotions. “The colours have changed, the impact is more romantic and peaceful,” he added.
In many of the pieces, Anjum Ayub, a printmaker and painter, has used mixed media to depict women in conversation, in a frenzy over the turmoil around them. Thought bubbles show glimpses of smoke, perhaps representing bomb blasts or carnage.
Through very layered and textured work, predominantly using variations of black, white and red, she explores the various relationships of an individual with his or her surroundings. “I want the viewers to respond to my artwork by feeling my experiences from childhood to the present, by feeling the mood, imagery and aspiration of my work. The experiences make me what I’m today,” said Ayub.
The exhibition will continue till October 22 every day from 10am to 7pm.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2013.
A collection of paintings and prints exploring the intertwined themes of identity and silent observation of the society by two artists, “Mein Houn, opened at the Nomad Gallery on Tuesday.
Poet and artist Raja Changez Sultan commended the struggle of curators and artists for their consistency in presenting art, while inaugurating the event. But he added that the capital’s art scene still lacked art created with unorthodox media.
Instead of painting within a bubble, the artists have boldly expressed socially-relevant ideas. “The theme holistically explores the identity of the artists by portraying how they individually feel and absorb happenings in their surroundings. The works are symbolic and exude colour and energy, which you don’t see enough of otherwise,” said the gallery’s curator, Nageen Hayat.
While talking to The Express Tribune, one of the artists, Tabassum Rizvi said, “I have an artistic identity of my own. Other than that, I’m a mother and a wife and I’m not working anywhere else. Its my work that lends me individuality as a person,” she added, associating her inner self with her character.
“The canvas of life is full of movement and colour and the depth of the strokes depict various facets that define the feeling of inner peace, happiness and most of all strength.”
Drawing the viewer in for their soft and delicate feel, her paintings have a rhythm and flow of their own with tones of turquoise, lilac and white complementing the light essence therein.
Nadeem Ahmed, a guest and an artist, said Rizvi’s current work deals with social, political and environmental themes as opposed to her previous collection where she had addressed personal relations and emotions. “The colours have changed, the impact is more romantic and peaceful,” he added.
In many of the pieces, Anjum Ayub, a printmaker and painter, has used mixed media to depict women in conversation, in a frenzy over the turmoil around them. Thought bubbles show glimpses of smoke, perhaps representing bomb blasts or carnage.
Through very layered and textured work, predominantly using variations of black, white and red, she explores the various relationships of an individual with his or her surroundings. “I want the viewers to respond to my artwork by feeling my experiences from childhood to the present, by feeling the mood, imagery and aspiration of my work. The experiences make me what I’m today,” said Ayub.
The exhibition will continue till October 22 every day from 10am to 7pm.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2013.