Intricacies and vibrance: Blooming colours of Korea at National Museum

Unfortunately, the exhibition is not attracting many locals

KARACHI: It is the power of delicacy and the blooming colours in paintings that catches the eye of a viewer at National Museum of Pakistan, Karachi. With a first ever show from the Far East in Karachi, Korean art is on display at the museum on 12 canvases and 24 photographs.

According to National Museum director Muhammad Shah Bukhari, it is after a very long time that the museum is hosting an exhibition of foreign artists' works. For Bukhari, the show depicts the vibrant Korean landscape with its glowing sunflowers and white flower fields. "These images appear to be real," he said.



While the richness of colour is very much a delight to marvel at, another interesting aspect of the show is the ambiguity of the paintings. The works leave one wondering about the thought process behind the work. For instance, Korean award-winning artist Kim Soonok depicts a grey-black backdrop of village houses with gloomy surroundings, contrasted with a happy, blooming tree of yellow leaves, perhaps marking the onset of early autumn.

Similarly, in another work, Soonok shows thatched houses with a broom standing outside one of them. At the same time, a stream runs straight up. This scene depicts an air of serenity and warmth. "The work is very different from our local and traditional art," said Bukhari. "I have never seen anything like this before."

Unfortunately, he added, the exhibition is only attracting foreign artists and enthusiasts and not many local people are turning up at the show.

Photographs

The photographs on display vary from miniatures and sceneries to abstract art. Artist KM Lee's photographs of bright, blooming flowers juxtaposed with glass splinters and Soonok's portrait of a miniature pot with small reindeers imprinted on its surface speak tales of the connection between artistic imagination and culture heritage.

"These paintings were sent by the Korean ministry of foreign affairs to promote cultural exchange," said an official of cultural affairs at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Pakistan. "Though not specific, the theme is more inclined towards cultural symbols and landscape. The artists' works are recognised worldwide."

The show will run till March 20.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2015.