Human touch: Telling stories through colour and forms

Artwork of Imrana Tanveer and Ghulam Hussain on display at Satrang

ISLAMABAD: A fusion of artworks which combine two distinct schools of thought along with traditions and philosophies of an old craft by Imrana Tanveer and Ghulam Hussain opened at the Satrang Art Gallery on Friday evening.

The exhibition, titled ‘Crossed Wires’, exhibits work of both artists who have displayed unique styles that narrate separate stories of colour, pattern and forms creating a new formation and foundation to the style.

Hussain, a graduate as a miniaturist from the National College of Arts, Lahore credits his family for his craft. “They were my initial inspiration and my artwork is craft based,” Hussain states. He uses opaque watercolors on wasli paper creating pulsating abstract that is vibrant and fresh. Using subtle tones, in a strategically thought-out pattern, He creates beautiful pieces using vertical and horizontal lines to create crisp and sharp geometric patterns that encourage viewers to explore.

“His pieces occasionally seem unfinished, emphasising and celebrating the process of formation and the exclusive unparalleled joy of creation” said Zahra Khan, curator of Satrang Art Gallery.

In his statement, Hussain said he prefers a humanistic approach to what makes a person happy, enriched, and fulfilled. “This primitive, bold style imagery collaborates with very intricate hand woven wasli’s and my school note books- which show my continued interest in basic shapes, vertical and horizontal lines”. This transforms into interesting compositions which stimulate the viewer’s imagination of one’s own memories, he said.

Tanveer, on the other hand, defuses hues using paper and thread to create thought-provoking images that grasp the viewer’s attention in a glimpse.  A glorifying series of unfortunate events that collide with socio-political happenings in the country, Tanveer uses paper and thread to create intensely pulsating images that are vibrant and relevant in today’s time.  Complimenting the theme, Tanveer uses subjects inspired by visuals, icons and culture to shape the Glocal –Global and Local landscape – interrogating and enlightening the world we develop and live in by constructing, deconstructing and reconstructing it again and again.  “It is kind of impossible to divorce oneself from the ongoing situation here; therefore my work is a hybrid form of imagination and realities,” he said.

Khan said Tanveer’s art is socio-political, using recognisable visual imagery taken from historical and popular culture, reconstructing it in a deliberately altered manner.

She explained that Tanveer and Hussain’s work highlights the delicacy and significance of human touch and design

Both artists combine various traditions of artistry and miniature art making and create an amalgamation of South Asian and European art traditions.

The exhibition will continue into the new year till January 12.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2014.