Collection of artwork: Yousuf Bashir Qureshi displays his ‘Recollections’
His body of work ranges from photography and painting to installations and sculpture.
A large number of artists, celebrities and art lovers gathered at the opening of Yousuf Bashir Qureshi’s exhibition, titled ‘Recollections’, at the Canvas Art Gallery on Monday. His works include photographs, paintings, installations, calligraphy and sculpture. PHOTO: COURTESY CANVAS ART GALLERY
KARACHI:
Artists, fashion designers, models, celebrities and art enthusiasts flocked to the Canvas Art Gallery as renowned artist and designer Yousuf Bashir Qureshi exhibited a variety of works titled 'Recollections'.
It was Qureshi's debut in Pakistan and he offered a range of mediums including installations, painting, photography and sculpture. There was a diversity of its own kind at the exhibition as each wall had something different to offer to the viewer. From momentous photographs of Karachi's shores and a huge installation of a woman draped in a sari to frames of poetic narratives, his talent seemed to have no bounds.
Yousuf Khan, a landscape painter and a friend of Qureshi, described him as a 'jack of all trades as far as art is concerned'. "The world knows him as a fashion designer but he is really everything an artist can be," he said, adding that his feudal roots enhanced the magnetism of his personality.
The centre of attention of the collection was a fragmented antique door. With calligraphic messages such as 'pride and guilty' and depiction of Urdu alphabets such as Qaaf and Ain, the door was not only an emblem of antique art but also offered a sneak peek into the artist's mind. "There is no single theme to the collection," said Qureshi. "These are pieces from my collections over the years as art for me is mostly a self-sustained hobby."
Power-sharing
Dressed in traditional dhoti, a short kameez and a classic turban, Qureshi gave a small presentation at the gallery. He explained how the only way to become fearless is through sharing one's unique powers.
"Once we share our powers, only then can we become fearless and truly liberated," he said, as the lights dimmed and model Zhalay Sarhadi and actor Ayub Khoso stepped out of the crowd. Sarhadi moved around in circles, wrapping the turban — symbolising power — around Khoso’s head with Qureshi’s help. Similarly, Qureshi and Khoso then wrapped the same piece of cloth around Sarhadi's torso as phrases like 'share your powers' and 'let go' echoed in the gallery.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 3rd, 2015.
Artists, fashion designers, models, celebrities and art enthusiasts flocked to the Canvas Art Gallery as renowned artist and designer Yousuf Bashir Qureshi exhibited a variety of works titled 'Recollections'.
It was Qureshi's debut in Pakistan and he offered a range of mediums including installations, painting, photography and sculpture. There was a diversity of its own kind at the exhibition as each wall had something different to offer to the viewer. From momentous photographs of Karachi's shores and a huge installation of a woman draped in a sari to frames of poetic narratives, his talent seemed to have no bounds.
Yousuf Khan, a landscape painter and a friend of Qureshi, described him as a 'jack of all trades as far as art is concerned'. "The world knows him as a fashion designer but he is really everything an artist can be," he said, adding that his feudal roots enhanced the magnetism of his personality.
The centre of attention of the collection was a fragmented antique door. With calligraphic messages such as 'pride and guilty' and depiction of Urdu alphabets such as Qaaf and Ain, the door was not only an emblem of antique art but also offered a sneak peek into the artist's mind. "There is no single theme to the collection," said Qureshi. "These are pieces from my collections over the years as art for me is mostly a self-sustained hobby."
Power-sharing
Dressed in traditional dhoti, a short kameez and a classic turban, Qureshi gave a small presentation at the gallery. He explained how the only way to become fearless is through sharing one's unique powers.
"Once we share our powers, only then can we become fearless and truly liberated," he said, as the lights dimmed and model Zhalay Sarhadi and actor Ayub Khoso stepped out of the crowd. Sarhadi moved around in circles, wrapping the turban — symbolising power — around Khoso’s head with Qureshi’s help. Similarly, Qureshi and Khoso then wrapped the same piece of cloth around Sarhadi's torso as phrases like 'share your powers' and 'let go' echoed in the gallery.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 3rd, 2015.