Paper artistry: Quilling art makes its way to capital

Anam has created diverse designs including floral, abstract and portraits

ISLAMABAD: Nomad Art Gallery should be applauded not just for promoting young artists but giving them a platform that encourages creative expression.

While the gallery is always open to acclaimed artists, it is never difficult for a new artist to reach out to the director either.

A recent exhibition at the Nomad Art Gallery features quilling art by a young artist, Anam Hayat Khan from Rawalpindi.

Quilling is a very rare form of art to be put on display in the capital, and that is precisely the reason why the exhibition stands out.

The artist use strips of paper, roll and shape them, and eventually glue them together in order to form different kinds of beautiful designs.

The exhibition is particularly very interesting because Anam has created very designs including floral, abstract and even portraits.

She has particularly used bright and vibrant colours that attract the viewer’s eye.

Anam, who is a chartered accountant by education, has always been inclined towards paper art. She found her calling when a friend introduced her to quilling art.

Anum, while speaking about her inspiration told The Express Tribune that she was particularly attracted to African art of any kind.

“I find their subject and culture highly expressive. This is rather evident in my current collection wherein apart from showcasing a few abstract and floral pieces, my main focus has been on depicting my interpretation of the African culture,” she said.

“I do not believe in restricting myself to any specific subject, and do intend to try my hand at Pakistani and Japanese art forms in the near future,” she said.

Anum further mentioned that much of her inspiration came from Yulia Brodskaya, a renowned Russian artist, who mesmerised her with her creativity and opened her eyes to the scope of paper art.

When asked why she chose quilling in particular, Anam said that quilling was an old art form that was not as well known in today’s day and age, which made it unique.

“I feel like it is under utilised and that its true potential was never explored. Coming from a creative background and particularly fond of any form of paper art, I instantly envisioned all that could be achieved using this simple art form. Many experiments were done until finally I found my voice and came up with the collection being exhibited at Nomad,” she said.

Nageen Hyat, the founding director of the Nomad Art Gallery said that Anam was an artist who believed in pushing the boundaries and exploring her potential, which was evident in her work.

“Anam’s work is also so diverse that just about anyone would be able to find their favourite piece,” she said.

Anam’s exhibition is on display till September 20.

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