Helping those in need: An exhibition of art for a cause

Exhibit paintings at Nomad gallery on discounted rates to generate funds for IDPs in Bannu

ISLAMABAD: Over fifty artists and photographers are offering discounted prices for their art pieces to generate funds for the displaced women and children of North Waziristan. A three-day exhibition opened at the Nomad Art Gallery on Monday in this regard. 

The art collection consists of three mediums of paintings, photographs and digital prints. An array of pieces from some of the best artists from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have been exhibited to generate funds to facilitate women and children in Bannu.



Speaking to The Express Tribune, Nageen Hyatt, the gallery curator, said the work is exquisite and people are familiar with the artists. “When the initiative to help the displaced persons was launched, most artists reached out themselves” she said.

The artists include Asadur Rehman, Zia Zahidi, Iram Wani, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Habib, Tayaba Aziz, Riffat Khattak, Nadeem Ahmed, NH Kazmi, Muniba Mazhari, Shafique Farooqi, Mubashar Iqbal, Azhar Hafiz, Nasir Malik, Abbar Cheema , Nageen Hyat, Obaid Syed and Manizha Janbaz, among many others.

The donations generated from the exhibition will be given to the Shanakht Trust for Development and Pace.



Hyatt said donations from twenty pieces will be given to Shanakht Trust, while commissions from the remaining thirty will also be given to various other charities. There have also been direct donations for the cause, she added. “Volunteerism is extremely important in our society and art is an important media for social change,” said the curator.  A visitor, Amina Khan, said “I think it is a great initiative taken by the gallery. It is a win-win situation for all --- those who love art and those who wish to contribute for something good.”

Hyatt said Nomad had worked with IDPs in Bannu earlier and said such initiatives should continue so as to assist those in need.

The exhibition is ongoing till Wednesday.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28^th, 2014.