An astounding world with unusual landscapes and queer creatures reflects Tassaduq Sohail's paradox thinking. His work shows versatility of handling subjects, paints and compositions in a solo exhibition at Ocean Art Galleries, Karachi.
He discovers a world between fact and fantasy by using numerous symbols in his paintings from women, animals, birds to serpents. One can see a landscape teeming with humans and beasts but these humans and animals live in harmony in a peaceful environment.
Tassaduq and I have long conversations several times and he told me many interesting incidents of his life - he is 84 years old. On asking, which is the best time for him to paint he said, "I paint in the witching hour that is after 3:00 am, which is the best time of the day for me."
When he was in London he used to feed wild foxes in the nearby forest at late hours of night and after his arrival in Karachi he started to feed kites and crows from his balcony.
The choice of time influenced the subjects and themes of his paintings. His love for animals and nature and of course the odd time of painting together result in an imaginary world of his own, the world has all new meaning on his canvas.
Animals and human figures appear together in ancient times paintings symbolising human bond with the nature. Keeping that in mind Tassaduq reinvent this mood of expression and practice it in his own dimension.
Mythical beasts, bearded man and voluptuous nude women journey through the canvas with animals and morphed creatures as he relates every image with the other weaving a story around them.
After his arrival in London in 1961 he became lonely and without friends. So he took up painting to relieve his loneliness and also to win female friends. He achieved his goal but soon painting became a passion. He started evening classes at the St. Martin School of Art and began to spend long hours there every day until he came to Karachi.
One wonders how come he didn't find anyone suited for marriage. He replied, "Living my life with one woman is a suffocating proposition. An artist should be free like a bird. Marriage or a permanent relationship fades the colour of romance, dries the creative juices of a painter."
It can be seen clearly in the amazing world of Tassaduq's rich imagination which is amusingly unusual with surreal art. He represents his subconscious mind by creating fantastic imagery and juxtaposing elements that seem to contradict each other.
His work is descriptive almost in miniature style and by adding a surreal touch to his work he makes a painting more than just an image. He creates vivid texture, which discuses human psychology and emotions in detail.
He amalgamates power of people and animals on the canvas which has now become an identity for him. He has a profound connection with the images he creates. His work is representational documenting life around him.
His creativity with paints is highly commendable each colour blending with other like a rainbow where no single colour can be distinguished from the other by a definite line.
Hence his paintings depict an impossible way of life bathed in glowing colours enchanting fantasy where everything seems possible.
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