Live out loud: Fourteen artists showcase their world view

The month-long exhibition features political and personal artwork.

ISLAMABAD: Fourteen young artists from across the country displayed their work at Aqs Art Gallery on Sunday evening, showcasing how they see the world by using an assortment of techniques and mediums.

The pieces displayed on the exhibit include Hijab Fatima’s series titled “Spiritualism”. Using oils and mix media, Fatima has created vibrant pieces with a splash of bright, eye-catching hues.



Synching animal characteristics to societal issues, Hassan Baqar has used traditional techniques, including woodcut, to create animal imprints filled with energetic hues. Some of the artwork is titled “Jaisi karni waise bharni”, “Waqi besharmi ki had ho gai” and “Un logon say tau ya chooha acha hai”.

Azmeena Aladin has created a perfect balance between dark shades exploiting the white canvas for her series “Hidden in beauty”.

With interestingly framed lasercut plexi glass, Marium Kamal has exhibited “Wonderland”. Each frame with an embossed quote is clean and interesting. Adding a tinge of sarcasm, Kamal writes in her statement about Karachi that “The city is like a bipolar movie. In a day it moves from being romantic comedy to a western thriller and slowly ending in to a tragic horror”.

Omar Gillani has used digitally drawn paintings using mix media to create illustrious pieces, such as a portrait of Nustrat Fateh Ali Khan, to using lighter tints to create “Darwaish’ and “Lady in the water”. The self-taught illustrator uses fusion of traditional and digital media to create a unique aesthetic effect that shines through his work.

Schezre Syed has used mixed media to create thought-provoking pieces while Usman Khalid uses various mediums such as pen on paper, emulsion on canvas, oil on canvas, monotone and dry point. Khalid tends to search for the hidden patterns in daylight and attempts to capture and preserve them on paper.



Karachi resident Syed Mohsin’s work is based on sectarian violence while Quratulain’s work is magnetic and interesting. Her work explains how clocks tick, from the sounds they make to the movement involved. Her whole idea revolves around her struggle with time.

Moreover, Sikander Butt brings together three pieces, each with its own distinct style. He has created “Equality”, “We all need a hero” and “Drone attacks on Waziristan” with photographic manipulation. In his statement, he says “Ignorance is not always bliss. We live our lives day by day, knowing in the back of our minds what our country is going through.”

Xahra Hafeez has displayed screen print on canvas pocket full of poises series. In her statement, Hafeez explains that in today’s brand culture, people are behaving like brands and brands like people. Her series is about the condescending nature of some people in society and the role money plays in our lives.



Benazir Hyatt’s series comprising three pieces is titled “Mind destruction is clean and spiky” while Sundus Talpur’s sculptures, titled “The many faces of Eve”, are based on gender roles. Aniqa Haider’s majestic work with giant animals is grandiose and creative.

The exhibition is on display for a month at the art gallery.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 7^th, 2014.