People thronged to the Margalla hills that received its first snowfall after many years. However, rains spoilt the holiday fun. There was ice on the windscreen of my car in the mornings. And it was so cold and no gas that it was a recipe for endless misery. One takes everyday necessities of life for granted showing how dependent we have become on these utilities.
My first visit was to an exhibition of western dresses and accessories for men and women, casual and formal wear titled 'Identity' by Mrs Ikram from Karachi and contemporary jewellery by Bushra Aftab of 'Polki' from Lahore, at Luna Caprese. The dresses and accessories were of exquisite taste and very stylish. Mrs Ikram is a business entrepreneur who gets the items from US and sells them in Pakistan.
She has an outlet with the name 'Identity' in Karachi at Tauheed commercial area, phase V, and DHA. Mrs Ikram has lived for a long while in States and now she is settled in Karachi. She has gone into business for herself and believes that there is a lot of scope in it.
The jewellery by Bushra Aftab was intricate and modern catering to the likes of today's city women. One felt rejuvenated meeting with such interesting and elegant women. It reaffirms one's belief in life.
The second was a painting exhibition by Mohammad Kazim at Khaas Art Gallery. There are 19 exhibits on display on the theme of women. Kazim is a Karachi based artist with his own studio and workshop. He is renowned for his embossed printmaking, which bears strong semblance to the ancient mural painting technique practised in the sub-continent over a thousand years ago, and influenced by the Indus Valley civilisation. He received a diploma in graphic design from Karachi School of Art.
He also did a two-month residency in a Chicago artist's international programme developing further his printmaking techniques. His interest in printmaking made him visit Japan where he learnt various printmaking methods, techniques of papermaking and application of relief-paint.
His first exh1bition was held in 1986 and since then he has participated in innumerable exhibitions throughout the country. He even toured across India where his printmaking was influenced by the Indus Valley civilisation and developed motifs and imagery from the ancient culture, designs and figures used on clay-work and sculpture. His research also led him to the conclusion that the Indus Valley culture was strongly matriarchal, a reason why women are frequently the subjects of his work.
My third visit was to a preview of paintings exhibition by A.Q. Arif at Nomad Art Gallery. This is his second exhibition at Nomad that I have covered. A. Q. Arif said, "I've tried to preserve the cultural heritage depicted in the architectural forms that especially appeals to me." Apart from on heritage, he has also done figurative and cultural portraits in water colours.
He said there is a lot of scope in this form of painting. Previously he was more into realistic painting but now he has blended it with abstract. He is a professional painter who also teaches painting in Iqra institute. It takes him almost a week to complete one painting. He has done a lot of sketches and these he innovatively paints in his own studio. He said that one needs to do oil painting in a studio and it cannot be done at the sight. Therefore, he sketches at the sight and later works on them in his workshop.
Nevertheless, the display of history on canvas was marvellous. Arif has displayed complete sense of professionalism in his attention to the minutest detail. He is sure of his style and knows what he wants to portray through his paintings. It is a magnificent display of architectural heritage that is fast disappearing from the horizon. Arif has succeeded in preserving the historical sites in his work.
The background on A Q is that he took his diploma in fine arts from Karachi School of Art in 1996. He started his career through teaching art at various schools in Karachi. However, his extra curricular activities involved book illustrations, portrait work, mural and truck painting. With the start of the new millennium, he devoted full time to painting. He is a realist painter and has worked on historical buildings that are becoming rare sites due to the development spree.
Arif has participated in more than 16 group shows. His initial appearance on the walls of the exhibition halls was in 1998 and has spent the last ten years painting. Ms Nageen Hayat, the director of Nomad Centre was appreciative of the artist's growth over the years. She heads the self-funded independent gallery that is involved in promoting artists and their work since 1984.
This week's last showing was the preview of Iqbal Hussain's exhibits at the World Bank office. This is the second time I've covered the work of this artist in World Bank. Mr John W. Wall; the country director of World Bank in Pakistan is a great admirer of his work and he initially, discovered Iqbal in the famous Heera Mandi of Lahore. Applauding Iqbal's work Mr Wall said that he has already exhibited his work four times in the World Bank and has a number of his art pieces in his private collection at home.
The exhibits on display consist of landscapes and portraits. The paintings are akin to life size posters one has the occasion to observe near cinema halls. The work of art gave the viewer an informal peep into the life of Heera Mandi.Woman is the main theme of the exhibition.
Later during an informal talk about his work, Iqbal said that he has been painting for the last 34 years and he takes approximately three to four months to complete one piece.
He said that he doesn't paint from imagination and he has to be there every day to paint a landscape Iqbal described his paintings as something that people can relate to and the viewer can recall memories nostalgically as it strikes one at the heart. He has tried to question the cultural mores of our society and shown the hypocrites that we are through his paintings.
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