Painting exhibition: Aman ka Rasta – Buddha shows the way
Artwork captures teachings of ‘the awakened one.’
ISLAMABAD:
As the two-week activism for elimination of violence against women continues in the city, the spirit of peace has taken over the art galleries as well. Nageen Hayat of Nomad Gallery took another step forward in this direction by housing Zeenath Khalid’s latest collection ‘Buddha’s Way -- Aman ka Rasta’ (Buddha’s way – road to peace).
The collection is a series of paintings on canvas depicting life, colour and capturing the essence of Buddha’s teachings on peace, harmony and inter-faith prosperity.
“Being of a spiritual disposition, I have always been fascinated and intrigued by Buddhism. The Buddha symbolises peace, tolerance and serenity, all states of being that are essential in today’s time,” said the artist.
“Especially since our lives are plagued by chaos, confusion and aggression, we should take inspiration from his teachings,” she added.
Having lived for a few years in Sri Lanka, the self taught artist got more and more inspired by Buddha’s life style and gained respect for him. Zeenath uses the canvas to its maximum potential depicting soothing serene images of Buddha in her collection. With an aspiration to make Pakistani society more tolerant and compassionate, Khalid probes the onlooker to think about the intolerance and religious divide present in the country.
The images of the ‘sleeping Buddha’ and the ‘meditating Buddha’ not only tell the story of peace and serenity, but are intended to bring the onlooker to the same level of tranquillity that Buddha intended. Adding a wide array of colours and using the palate to its maximum potential the collection is very vibrant and full of life.
It almost seems as if the artist is suggesting a process of ‘rebirth’ the people of our society need to go through. “Each one of us has to reawaken from within. We need to know what it takes to become better family members, neighbours and citizens. “Before being Muslims, Christians, Hindus or Buddhists, there is something else that binds us: our humanity,” Khalid added.
With chaos, destruction and distress surrounding the way we live our lives these days Nomad Gallery makes a continuous effort to ameliorate the situation and educate the locals through the medium of art. “There needs to be a social revolution in this country to try to make its people more tolerant towards each other,” said Iffat, a visitor.
Continuing till the 1st of December, the collection is moderately priced between Rs12,000 to Rs45,000, making it accessible for most to add a little ‘peace and tranquillity’ in their lives.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 28th, 2010.
As the two-week activism for elimination of violence against women continues in the city, the spirit of peace has taken over the art galleries as well. Nageen Hayat of Nomad Gallery took another step forward in this direction by housing Zeenath Khalid’s latest collection ‘Buddha’s Way -- Aman ka Rasta’ (Buddha’s way – road to peace).
The collection is a series of paintings on canvas depicting life, colour and capturing the essence of Buddha’s teachings on peace, harmony and inter-faith prosperity.
“Being of a spiritual disposition, I have always been fascinated and intrigued by Buddhism. The Buddha symbolises peace, tolerance and serenity, all states of being that are essential in today’s time,” said the artist.
“Especially since our lives are plagued by chaos, confusion and aggression, we should take inspiration from his teachings,” she added.
Having lived for a few years in Sri Lanka, the self taught artist got more and more inspired by Buddha’s life style and gained respect for him. Zeenath uses the canvas to its maximum potential depicting soothing serene images of Buddha in her collection. With an aspiration to make Pakistani society more tolerant and compassionate, Khalid probes the onlooker to think about the intolerance and religious divide present in the country.
The images of the ‘sleeping Buddha’ and the ‘meditating Buddha’ not only tell the story of peace and serenity, but are intended to bring the onlooker to the same level of tranquillity that Buddha intended. Adding a wide array of colours and using the palate to its maximum potential the collection is very vibrant and full of life.
It almost seems as if the artist is suggesting a process of ‘rebirth’ the people of our society need to go through. “Each one of us has to reawaken from within. We need to know what it takes to become better family members, neighbours and citizens. “Before being Muslims, Christians, Hindus or Buddhists, there is something else that binds us: our humanity,” Khalid added.
With chaos, destruction and distress surrounding the way we live our lives these days Nomad Gallery makes a continuous effort to ameliorate the situation and educate the locals through the medium of art. “There needs to be a social revolution in this country to try to make its people more tolerant towards each other,” said Iffat, a visitor.
Continuing till the 1st of December, the collection is moderately priced between Rs12,000 to Rs45,000, making it accessible for most to add a little ‘peace and tranquillity’ in their lives.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 28th, 2010.