Work of 18 painting students on display at PUCAD

LAHORE:

Eighteen fourth-year painting students of the Fine Arts Department showcased their thesis work on Tuesday at the Punjab University College of Arts and Design.

Saif Ali Siddiqui’s five oil paintings attracted a lot of attention. “My thesis is about genetics. I have worked with genetic variation and manipulation. I wanted to show how parents combine their genetic material to give birth to a unique individual. I consider the work of artists from three different eras - Johannes Vermeer, Vincent Van Gogh and Salvador Dali - as my inspiration. At the same time, my work is unique,” he said.

Noorul Huda’s work was oil-on-canvas (five paintings). “The title for my thesis is: Moments. My paintings show the routine of my daily life. I feel that people and objects make a home and create a living environment,” she said.

Namrah Fatima’s six pieces were made using oil and spray on canvas. “My work revolves around my pet, Katty - a Siamese cat. It shows her significance in my life and the intimacy I have developed with it. It is about a bond with another living being,” she said.

Sana Sohail’s eight paintings showed the paper-cut technique. “My thesis is titled: Presence of Absence. I have tried to show gaps in our memories. The black and white silhouettes in my work show the initial stage of a memory,” she said.

Javed Iqbal Mughal had four oil paintings on display. “My thesis title is: Living a life within a life. There are some moments in a person’s life where they really feel alive. That is what I have tried to show in my work,” he said.

Mehroze Khan showcased his 32 small paintings (oil on board). “My thesis title is: Mon Fiancé Et Moi. It revolves around my long distance relationship with my fiancé. We got engaged last year. I have tried to show the past, the present and our future,” she said.

Amad Arif displayed eight pieces using digital print on transparent sheet. “My work is about personalities. I tried to mix my passion for photography and my paintings to create something new,” he said.

Neha Zahid’s five pieces used the paper-cut technique in light boxes. “My topic is Self-identity. I have shown a series of images from childhood to maturity,” she said.

Babar Mustafa had mixed media work on display. “I have painted nature with the theme: No ending or beginning. Some scientists say that the universe came into being with a big bang. However, I believe it has existed forever. Nature has always been and will always be as God has always existed,” he said.

Shahid Rafique exhibited six pieces produced using graphite powder on canvas. “My work is titled: Celebration. I remember weddings from when I was a child were full of celebrations. Now I feel people have become more self-centered and introverted,” he said.

The exhibition will continue till Wednesday (today).

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2015.