Retrospectively: Homage to Mansur Aye

Exhibit displays work spanning over half century.

Artist Mansur Aye’s work is on display at a local gallery since Thursday bringing together 50 of his art pieces he did since 1962, said a press release.

The exhibition is taking place at Gallary 6.

The artworks included in the exhibition have been done in different mediums - pencil drawings, brush drawing, chemical drawings, water colour, mixed media, acrylic and oil paints. Besides moon-faced girls, the show also includes still life, work on men musicians, and nudes which have not been displayed before.

These works are to be enjoyed for their vibrant colours, melting tones, moods and gestures they present with marvelous simplicity.

Mansur Aye is a well-known artist who passed away in April 2008 at the age of 67.

Aye dropped his second name Ahmed except for its first letter ‘A’ – writing it as Aye.

He was a self-taught artist and did not conform to any school of art. His first exhibition was held at the Karachi Arts Council in 1962.

This amiable, soft spoken artist painted first and foremost for personal pleasure and laid down his brush only when he felt satisfied with his effort.

Aye experimented with diverse subjects but became famous for his moon-faced girls in different guises and sizes, and the spontaneous movements of his brush strokes.

The innocent and shy girls with downcast eyes were often accompanied with moon in the background, orflower, or music of the flute emphasizing the atmosphere of peace and tranquilly in his work.

This signature work shows strength of artist’s inventiveness and chromatic sensitivity. 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th, 2014.