BNU Art Thesis: Of tasting colour and the roundness of roti

Work by 22 students of the Department of Visual Arts at Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts and Design showcased

LAHORE:

Maheen Afghani, a visual artist, says the concept of representation of visual arts for the visually impaired always piqued her interest. Her graduation thesis, on display at Beaconhouse National University’s Tarogil Campus, incorporates Braille, crystal vials and coloured juice to create a sense of colour for the visually impaired.

Afghani’s work explores the concept of presenting visual arts for the visually impaired. During the course of her research, she interacted with several visually-impaired people and came to the conclusion: there is no concept of art for the visually impaired. Tacked to a white wall, the thesis project uses crystal vials filled with various kinds of coloured juice with the colour’s name engraved on the vial in Braille. The idea is to identify colour through use of other senses. In this case, taste and touch. Afghani says several visually impaired people had used the installation, “and the response has been great”.

She says they had showed a lot of interest in her art. “I want to take this forward and explore similar avenues of art for the visually impaired.”

Afghani is among 22 graduating students of the Department of Visual Arts at the Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts and Design.

Mehrunnisa Akmal’s thesis explores the fascination with perfection in household chores. “Why must roti be gol (round)?”  Roti is a household staple and its shape the object of much fascination and toil. She asked 60 women to make the best roti they could and had the shape of the roti critiqued by others.

Akmal’s thesis displays all 60 rotis and their critique. “None of the rotis was a perfect gol. That is what I wanted to show through my work – nothing is perfect.”

Another subject she explores in her research is female genitalia wrapped in taboo. She has showcased hand embroidered samples of various names for female genitalia across cultures and languages. “My work talks about freedom of speech and how women are forbidden to talk about something so integral to them.” The beautiful embroidery is intentional, she says, to link it to the forbidden. “My work aims to make the unacceptable acceptable.”

Aleena Jamshed’s project explores the influence of control and exertion of authority on emotions and personality. It is displayed in audio-visual media. Black wooden panels representing isolation and physical control depict Jamshed’s childhood. In the background a narration of where she is now is played – juxtaposing the past and present. “My work is more of a personal statement in which I explore how my memories have shaped me and influenced my personality over the years.”

Jamshed says her work represents how control and authority affected not only her childhood but also her identity. “In a way I look through my own experience at how control alters emotions and personalities.”

She says the project began with the exploration of five senses and their relation to human emotions. It later morphed into a personal statement.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2015.