Exhibition: Pakistani calligraphy at its creative best

Annual show features country’s prominent calligraphers.

ISLAMABAD:

Third annual calligraphy show featuring artworks by Ahmad Khan, Rasheed Butt, Bin Qualander and Arif Khan opened at the Satrang Art Gallery on Saturday.

The exhibition titled “Hurouf” brings together pieces of different ability, presenting the exquisiteness of art with an amalgam of calligraphy.

Ahmed Khan uses gold and silver pigments with subtle tones and intricate gold writings in his three pieces.

He uses mixed media with ink, watercolour and pigments to create intense pieces that are imperial in nature. With bright tones on white canvas, Khan’s magnetic work is appealing and compelling. Contrasting with strong and bright shades, his work mesmerises the viewers.

“If painting is music, then I play it on my canvas. My calligraphic symphonies run in low keys. Suddenly, they move into a higher pitch,” he explains in his statement. “I subtly divide space by writing small pieces around the focal point and fill the focal point with a large word.”

Calligraphy pieces by Bin Qualander. PHOTO: EXPRESS

Bin Qualander uses mixed media in his 12 pieces. Majestic and striking, Qualander’s work is detailed and intricate. Blending hues, he creates superlative pieces.

While studying Arabic calligraphic alphabets, he learnt that each word has its own identity and anatomy. He then decided to accept the challenge of trying to achieve the hidden truth of art in calligraphy. “It is my achievement that numerous contemporary artists now accept my point of view that calligraphy could be an art form rather than only a craft,” he said.

The illustrious work by Rasheed Butt speaks for itself. The two pieces on display crave attention from even a distance. Using 24 carat gold, ink and pigments, Butt’s work is moderate and tidily crafty.

He says in his statement that, “Beautiful writing calligraphy celebrates the sounds and meanings of this sacred text and preserves its accuracy. Pen is the ambassador of intelligence, the messenger of thought, and interpreter for the mind.” But perhaps the best of these classical Arabic metaphors is, “Calligraphy is music for the eyes.”

“We are bringing to our clientele Pakistani art at its diverse and creative best,” said Asma Rashid Khan, director of the gallery.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2014.