Capturing the beauty of Mansehra on canvas

Art highlights issues of deforestation, pollution to preserve the country’s scenic beauty.

ISLAMABAD: Natural disasters, deforestation, pollution and hunting activities have affected Pakistan’s wildlife and its natural beauty. In an effort to highlight these issues and to preserve the country’s scenic beauty, Nahida Raza of Jharoka Art Gallery brings authentic landscape art from Mansehra district to Islamabad.  Muhammad Arif Khan - a Mansehra based artist - captures the beauty and tranquillity of the region in his fifth collection “Colours of Pakistan- Save Wildlife”.

A real artist doesn’t work unless he feels stirred by the force of internal and external effects of the circumstances on his mind. Khan’s paintings reveal his solitary energy and contain his joy and emotions.

Khan, in his scenic landscapes, also captures various rare species of birds and other animals. “The aim of my work is to preserve the environment, and because I am a resident of the area and know the habitat, I think I can depict it in its truest form,” said Khan.  With an academic background in international relations, the artist has an innate eye for aesthetics, and under the guidance of Jamal Shah, he has bloomed to become a collectable artist.

“It has always been my aim to bring works of new artists from across Pakistan and house them at Jharoka,” said Raza of Jharoka. “We are facing a wildlife preservation crisis and it is high time the idea was made public.”

Using the plein air painting technique - central to outdoor impressionist art work - the artist sketches the mountainous northern parts of Pakistan on canvas. Adding value in landscape painting, the artist observes light reflection and shades. Impressed by the tranquillity and aestheticism of the nature, Khan works towards depicting the same calmness in his work.

The paintings are moderately priced from Rs8,000 to Rs75,000 and hold something for everyone. The collection is intended not only to add colour to the walls of the owner but to provide peace and serenity to the abode.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2010.