Mixed media: Art that reflects linkages between religion and culture

Artist comments on how war and other objects of destruction have affected lives.

LAHORE:

“Through my recent work, I have tried to comment on how different elements of war and other objects of destruction have affected our lives”, artist Imran Mudassar told The Express Tribune on Sunday. 

Mudassar’s latest works titled Hate or Love are on display at Rohtas 2 Gallery in a solo exhibition that continues until May 24.

On display are 13 art pieces made using opaque water colour and graphite on paper, gouache and graphite on paper, tea wash and graphite on paper and mixed medium on wasli paper.

Mudassar said the combination of the human body and emotions, which are represented by images of the human heart in some of his paintings, and war-related objects, had created a tension for him. He said he intended to depict the idea of life and death through his artwork.

Mudassar said he had been interested in exploring printmaking techniques since he was a student at the National College of Arts in Lahore from 2004 until 2008, where he specialised in printmaking. “I was looking into various unconventional methods of printmaking such as rubber stamp printing, printing on cutlery and ceramics and panni printing, a traditional technique of printmaking commercially used for leather book-binding.

“The habit of pushing boundaries and exploring my medium has taken my art practice into other directions, such as drawing, painting, video installations and performance,” said Mudassar.

Art critic Quddus Mirza said: “Imran Mudassar is using a theme that is connected to our society at large. It reflects on the relationship between religion and culture in political times. Yet, his work, instead of projecting an orthodox version of truth, is a way to search for the truth through art.”

Artist Asad Hayee said, “Mudassar’s depiction of ornately beautiful artillery juxtaposed with naked human figures is a stark reminder that these weapons are lovingly crafted for a single purpose: to rip, tear and ravage fragile human flesh.”

Hayee added that Mudassar seemed to be very sensitive to his surroundings. His approach is both political and personal.

Born in 1982 in Gujranwala, Mudassar lives and works in Lahore. He completed his Bachelors in Fine Arts with a distinction from NCA. He has been given the Award of Excellence by Alhamra Art Gallery, Lahore.

Mudassar has previously held exhibitions in Hong Kong and New Delhi in 2010. He has completed a residency at the Visual Art Collective Karachi, Pakistan Khoj International Artists Residency in Bangalore.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19^th, 2014.