With spring in the air, the whole range of colours is erupting all around through the flowers that make nature a work of art. The February winds and the wild flora gives an awe inspiring and a passionate feeling and one is in the mood to do things, which only the heart appreciates. However, coming back to the cultural activities, let us go down my memory lane to see what the Capital had to offer the previous week.
My first viewing was of Raja Changez Sultan's works. The theme of his collection of twenty-four paintings was the 'Divided Self' and the subject was a woman in her various roles reflecting the actual life. When the artist was queried about the reason for choosing woman as a subject, he said that woman is an embodiment of multiple personalities and she aptly fits the premise. When further quizzed about how long does it take him to complete one painting, he explained that usually he does ninety percent of the work on a painting in a day and the remaining ten percent is later completed within a week's time.
Mr Sultan's work is figurative with depth, meaning and mystery, which the on looker observes making his/her own conclusions. The poem behind the theme is as follows:
The divided self
When you look in a mirror
Do you see your image
Or an image of your image
Or does your image see u
Or
An image of you?
Whatever the case
You see what is there
Or what is there
Sees u.
Between the two
There is a conspiracy.
A little backgrounder on Mr. Sultan is that he did his Masters in Fine Arts from the Columbia University. He is an artist as well as a writer and has had seven books published to date. Moreover he has had thirty-one solo paintings exhibitions and participated in numerous group shows at home and abroad. Furthmore, he has held a number of important posts in his professional career and is currently the Director General of the Pakistan National Council of the Arts.
The 'Divided Self' highlights the contradictions in the personality of an individual. The paintings exhibit an aura of mystery and an inner turmoil of a person. The exclusivity of the preview gave one a feeling of entering an elitist gathering. All in all, it was a captivating display of sensuality and intrigue of a female form.
My inquisitiveness about the 'Truck Art' exhibition at Khaas spurred me to check the place out. The statue of Buddha placed near the stairs going up to the gallery definitely gives a warm welcome. Tables and chairs precede the gallery where a café is in the process of being opened. It gives a casual but tasteful nuance to the place. The Khaas Director, Mobina Zuberi showed the exhibition and explained a bit about the 'truck art motifs'. The cut-outs of truck art were bright, colorful and gaudy. Ms. Zuberi explained that the same artists who are hired to do it on the trucks, had done these. Pakistan's truck art depicts life seen through the eyes of the common man. It is interesting to observe how a commoner views life full of hope and color. Pakistani trucks are unique in the colourful display of motifs with catchy verses written at the back of the truck. It is a portrayal of the living imagery of a common man's life. The exhibition is innovative in its content and a wonderful change from the mundane. It is an avenue, which must be explored by all art admirers.
Masood A.Khan displayed his works at the Nomad Art Gallery. His collection is titled 'Mix Media Paintings'. I couldn't get to meet the artist as I wasn't invited to the preview but I did attend the opening of the exhibition. The artist has painted multiple viewpoints in a single painting and he leaves it to the observer to judge which one depicts reality. His subject matter is common everyday things but his technique is architectural. The projection of light is deliberate and it displays the simplicity of the tone captured on the canvas. Individuality is created using the reflection and silhouettes in juxtaposition to the real. It is a marvelous display of meticulous precision in artistic skills that shows the command of the artist in his work. It is a must see as it explores a path which in ordinary course of events we see but never reflect upon.
Masood hails from Karachi. He has been painting since early 90s and has participated in group and solo shows at home and abroad.
The death anniversary of the renowned poet Josh Malhiabadi was observed and jointly organized by Josh Memorial Committee, Josh Abadi Foundation and Pakistan Academy of Letters. A number literary personalities such as Iftikhar Arif, Ghazanfar Mehdi, Sajadanasheen Golra Sharif Pir Naseeruddin, PTV director Naveed Zafar, poetess Safia Shamim, former minister for culture S.K Tressler, Asghar Abid, Feroze and the poet's granddaughter, Tabbasum Akhlaque.Moreover, Federal Minister for Information Sheikh Rashid Ahmad briefly participated in the event. Malhiabadis literary pursuits were highlighted and eulogized by all and sundry. Furthermore, the Minister promised to confer a civilian award to the poet and publish his literary works.
Takshilla Center arranged a literary evening with Kishwar Naheed reading excerpts from the latest book of eminent Indian writer Dr.Kusum Ansal who was supposed to participate in the event but couldn't due to visa problem. The event was organized in collaboration between the Pakistan-India People's Forum and South Asian Center of Literature and Performing Arts, Takshilla Center. Other personalities, which read portions from her novel, were the famous poetess Sarwat Mohiyuddin, renowned TV artist Laila Zuberi and a prominent journalist Farida Hafeez. The novel'Taapsi' is about the tale of a widow's suffering and touches the most susceptible side of the society. The novel portrays the life of a young widow who lives under restraints imposed by the people and has to face many trials and tribulations. All who were present in a healthy gathering at Takshilla applauded the novel.
Let us end on a note of renewal and rebirth that is reflected in the coming of spring. It is time to get connected with one's roots and explore the limitless horizons so that these could be conquered in one's quest for the truth and perfection.