Room full of mirrors

Nude but not naked, Numair Abbasi’s subjects exude confidence and child-like vigour

Art can either be comforting or confronting and Numair Abbasi’s work, with its strong narrative, falls in the latter category. An opinionated and talented young artist, Abbasi graduated from the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture Karachi last year, and has participated in several group shows at Sanat, VM and Full Circle galleries. He was also invited to be a part of the prestigious Avant-Garde and Kitsch residency and their show titled ‘Hatchery’.

His art got a myriad of responses from the audience — some appreciated it and a few were offended — but not one person could ignore the themes he sought to highlight. The current show at Sanat Gallery titled “{It takes} All kinds of kinds” is his first solo show where the entire spectrum of his talents is on display.

Working out at the gym to fit my underwear. PHOTO COURTESY: SANAT GALLERY

The week ends the week begins. PHOTO COURTESY: SANAT GALLERY

Abbasi questions the stereotypes of our hypocritical society in which men and women are pigeonholed into typical roles, and taboos like ‘men don’t cry’ and ‘women don’t sweat,’ prevail; where female nudes are acceptable, male ones are not. Abbasi’s models may be nude, but they’re not naked. He has taken his models out on the streets, in full glare of the public eye, letting them evoke all sorts of different emotions. They exude confidence as they do domestic chores which are associated normally with women, like hanging the laundry on clothes-lines, working in the kitchen, or even grooming themselves in front of the mirror. You also see them bursting with child-like playfulness while performing their mundane and back-breaking responsibilities, like the piece with a balloon-seller riding a unicycle, who looks like he believes that the balloons in his hands will lift him to some ethereal realm. These characters seem to have shunned their straitjacketed roles, shaken the ennui and are having fun celebrating the little joys of life. The image of a surgeon trying to butcher his own foot, almost out of curiosity, suggests that he wants to dissect and analyse his own self. The one holding an umbrella in heavy downpour, stands in his flooded room but is holding his fort, biding time by looking keenly at his wrist watch. Abbasi’s works force viewers to stop and ponder.

Little puppet don’t die. PHOTO COURTESY: SANAT GALLERY

Lat uljhi suljha ja re balam. PHOTO COURTESY: SANAT GALLERY

Abbasi believes that his works are a social commentary and serve as a mirror to society. Since they are a reflection of the inner self, people who get offended should ask themselves why, which would encourage a constructive dialogue with his work. Offence is always taken, not given, according to Abbasi, and it is merely about perception and reaction. He says he savours all kinds of responses from his viewers.

Abbasi’s works have been criticised by some for being homoerotic and voyeuristic which he vehemently denies and says that sex, sexuality and gender are totally different issues like the idea of ‘man’ and ‘male’. Some tend to derive sexual innuendos from his paintings but they are actually entirely gender-based because he wants to push the frail gender boundaries. Why is it that a woman is always portrayed as a victim in movies and TV soaps, fulfilling all her obligations under the most difficult of circumstances? This hackneyed image makes it seem like men do not suffer, sacrifice and go through the similar milling processes, and prevents this side of the society from featuring in public discourse.

Hurry up now ’cause I can’t wait much longer. PHOTO COURTESY: SANAT GALLERY

All work and no play makes everything suck. PHOTO COURTESY: SANAT GALLERY

The exhibition, currently displayed at Sanat Gallery, is a visual treat with an array of beautiful and thought-provoking paintings. Abbasi has a lot of potential and seems set for a bright career ahead, changing stereotypes and doing what he loves most.Abbasi maintains that male figures are just vessels for him to express his thoughts and make a social commentary. He has no inhibition in using female models in the future.

Amir Butt is an art collector based in Karachi. 

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, November 1^st, 2015.