Preserving heritage: An architectural mission on Arches

Ali Sajid says his paintings could assist architectural research in future

PESHAWAR:

For those who don’t dabble in watercolours, Arches is a brand of paper made in its namesake village in France, quite preferred by many artists. And on those rectangular sheets of grainy warm white, Ali Sajid binds local historical architecture in a bid to preserve valuable structures in their current state. All this so the responsible authorities might follow suit and preserve the actual buildings instead of letting them become irreparable ruins.

For Sajid, the canvas has a purpose beyond bearing the burden of his passion and creativity. The 35-year-old water colourist wants to help document the ailing buildings of Peshawar and elsewhere in K-P.



“Through these paintings, I have tried to keep a record of these buildings,” he tells The Express Tribune. “These paintings could help architectural research in future.” Artists such as Naseeruddin Mohmand and Tayyaba Aziz have tried to achieve similar goals through their oil paintings. Unlike them, Sajid does try to capture the actual state of the buildings in his watercolours, even though the overall effect is one of a burst of colours till the eye settles on the hints of detail.

Not waiting on providence

“It would have been much better if the government and the owners of these buildings had taken an interest in preserving them,” he says. “They represent the city’s identity but have been neglected for years.”



According to Sajid, the government has failed to make an effort to preserve these buildings even though there are several supportive laws. “Faced with these challenges, the only thing an artist can do is set up his canvas in different parts of the city and paint these buildings for the purpose of posterity,” he added.

A quick look at Sajid’s studio reveals his unflinching commitment to this cause. It offers a colourful look at historical destinations, a creative space filled with work from across the country. Each painting depicts an artistic journey that spans several generations.

From Arches to Fabriano

The artist is currently in the town of Fabriano in Italy. Fabriano is known for its handmade papers, which were even lauded by the likes of Michelangelo (according to the paper manufacturer’s website).

As a member of the Pakistan Watercolour Society, Sajid was chosen to visit Fabriano to be part of the International Watercolour Society conference.

On Sunday, Sajid was chosen to be part of 15 of the world’s top watercolourists who each painted a panel in a 15-metre-long artwork, recreating the Fabriano cityspace. Of course, the canvas was Fabriano paper.

Some of his paintings will also be exhibited at the International Watercolour Exhibition there. “This will give me an opportunity to discuss my work with artists from across the world,” he says. “My work on the Sethi Mohallah will be on display.”

Ali’s hard work has not gone unnoticed. So far, he has won the S.S Haider Award and a silver medal from the Pakistan Japan Cultural Association.

Sajid (second from right) holding the 15m-long painting in Fabriano. PHOTO COURTESY: ALI SAJID

Sajid learnt watercolour in Singapore from renowned cityscape artist, Zhu Hong, and has previously worked with urban sketchers in Tokyo. He has an undergraduate degree in art from the University of Peshawar.

Still life

Over the years, the artist has made it his mission to document Peshawar’s old buildings but unlike other artists, Sajid believes it is important to paint on-the-spot and not from memory or photographic reference. For him, the city’s buildings are his muse and he is often driven to capture their essence without falling prey to flights of fancy or abstractism.

“I paint everything on the spot because I want to portray the subject in its original form,” he says.

“I have tried to portray the many sights and flavours of a city where these old building have lost their sheen.” But under the care of Sajid’s canvas and brush, these buildings pop right back to life.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2015.