Painting exhibition: Women’s issues with disarming honesty

Nahid Raza’s works depict intimate emotions that make up a female spirit.

ISLAMABAD: Expressing women’s issues with disarming honesty, Nahid Raza’s collection is being exhibited at Tanzara Gallery. As a closing-off exhibit for the year, the residents of Islamabad have been given a taste of rich palette and artistic designs.

Raza describes her body of work as a diary of the intimate emotions, sorrows, joys, strengths and weaknesses that make up a woman’s life.

The artist focuses on the experiences of a woman struggling to define her own space and identity. She is a being which is guided by the strength of her belief in the invincible resolve of her spirit. “There are times in life when one sees the surroundings like a mirage, a shimmering beautiful potential which is actually an illusion. As a contemporary artist, with every new collection of work I try to initiate a dialogue inspired by life and its memories of good and bad chapters along the way,” said Raza.

Having travelled across the globe and exhibiting her collections in Germany, the United States and Austria; the artist depicts problems common to the women of her generation in many parts of the world. This is one of the main reasons why she is considered as ‘one of the most admired artists’ of her generation.

“She is able to relate the outside world to the central realities of women’s own existence,” Rehana, a visitor.

Embodying lively textures, resonating energy and power, the viewer can see the depth of the texture upon the first glance. Heavily layered, the paintings are well-balanced with captivating energy floating around them.

Marjorie Hussein, an art critic acclaims the artists work, “Perhaps her philosophy is best summed up in the title of a painting of a recumbent figure, ‘I’m not sleeping- even in my dreams’.’’

Raza uses strong powerful women fulfilling their duties and responsibilities. Using motifs of flowers as symbolism for comfort, solace and friendship, she said, “We enjoy the happiness of friends, gather together in our homes, like to sing and exchange ideas.”

The collection ranges at a wild array of prices between Rs30,000 and Rs125,000. Offering something for everyone, Raza’s exquisite and heavily textured pieces are a joy to witness and worth housing for collectors to adorn their walls with. The Karachi-based artist’s work, in the words of a visitor, is a ‘delight to behold’. “It is interesting for the viewers to let themselves go and enjoy the journey she takes us on,” added Imtiaz.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2010.