In, at and around: Urban violence, natural beauty caught on canvas

Soraya Sikandar’s exhibition at Alhamra Art Gallery.

LAHORE:

In, at and around, a solo paintings exhibition by Karachi-based artist Soraya Sikandar opened at the Alhamra Art Gallery on Monday. Salima Hashmi inaugurated the exhibition. As many as 36 pieces of oil on canvas, acrylic on canvas and ink on paper were on display.

Sikandar told The Express Tribune that her work was inspired by nature, flowers and natural scenery. She said “Through my work, I have tried to depict life around me, both Karachi’s violence and London’s colours”.

Schehrazade Alam, an artist, said Sikandar’s paintings could qualify as masterpieces. Mohsin Jafri, also an artist, said that he had been following Sikandar’s art work for some time and had noticed changes in her approach and technique.

“I noticed maturity in various aspects of her art. For instance, she shows flowers in different moods and conceals figures within lines, waiting to be discovered”, he said. Mudassar Butt, a cartoonist, said the pieces created imaginative landscapes through saturated colours.

Saleema Hashmi said that Sikandar’s work was impressive. Sikandar studied at the Beaconhouse National University Lahore, The Print Club London, Slade School of Fine Arts, and the University College London. Her most renowned sculpture, Bride, was made out of recycled material such as fabric, wire foam and plaster.

Cartoonist Javed Iqbal, and artists Shahid Jalal and Ijazul Hassan were also present at the opening. The exhibition will end on December 25.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21^st, 2014.