Capturing Pakistan: Photography exhibition kicks off at RAC

Around three dozen artists’ work on display till October 25

RAWALPINDI:

A group show of 35 veteran and upcoming photographers kicked off at the Rawalpindi Arts Council on Tuesday in collaboration with Pakistan Salon Group of Photography.

Marvi Memon, chairperson of the National Assembly Standing Committee for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage and RAC Resident Director Waqar Ahmed inaugurated the photographic art exhibition.

Maestro photographers from all over Pakistan showcased 160 rare art pieces depicting the culturally rich areas of the country.

The artists include winners of the President’s Pride of Performance award — Aftab Ahmed Khan, MR Owaisi, Syed Javaid A Kazi, Samiur Rehman, and Nisar A Mirza.

The work of six late artists was also included as a tribute. Nisar A Mirza, Asad Ali, Mushtaq A Cheema, Mujahid Awais, Riaz Ali and Mian Abdul Majid’s work was included in this category. The photographs depict the rich culture of the country, as well as everyday life which is a story on its own.

Aftab Ali Khan, the event’s chief organiser, who is a retired police officer, told The Express Tribune that he has been in this profession for almost 45 years and this (photography) was his first love. He said it is a very interesting art which requires great skill, adding that while painting takes a lot of time, one can produce a lot of photographs within a short span of time. According to my understanding, photography has advantage over painting in terms of clarity of concept, he remarked. “A lay man can also understand the essence of that photograph easily,” he said.

While talking to The Express Tribune, photographer Karar Haidri, who hails from Skardu, said it this profession requires a lot of time and money and is yet to be properly appreciated in country unfortunately. “Once it took me almost 10 days to take a single photograph near K-2 due to inclement weather, but I had to stay to capture that moment,” he remarked.

“It is very hard to survive if your entire income is from photography hence most people do it as a hobby, in their free time,” he said.

Kazi, who is the president of the Photographic Society of Pakistan, said there are only a few platforms available in the country to highlight this art. “We are passing through a very critical time and the people have stopped taking interest in such skills and art,” he said. There is a need to revive the art through such events and encourage artists, he added.

MNA Memon while addressing the inaugural ceremony, said artists have depicted the whole country through this exhibition and this is a sign of interprovincial harmony.

While talking to The Express Tribune, she said the exhibition depicts different colours of Pakistan and it seemed as if the whole Pakistan is united here in these colours. “Our government will do everything in its power to encourage artists and the growth of photography,” she said.

The reserve seat MNA also distributed awards among the artists at the end of the event, which will be open for the public till October 25.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd, 2014.