An artist never duplicates nature but rather expresses a personal aesthetic philosophy by manipulating it. The same is the case with Ali Shah. His images are based on the imaginary background depicting an overwhelming energy in the pictures. Defined by shadows, the stately, nostalgic works of Ali offer a moving, somewhat cinematic perspective on the power and beauty of women.
He has produced considerable such work encompassing women issues. Based on the square and circular motifs with deep red, he explores the non-physical realities while his concerns are about time and reality.
He has worked in a broad range of colours and tones but tends to focus on one range of hues in each painting, from red hots to creamy pale yellows and olive greens and ocean blues. According to Ali, the layers of print gave him the impression of some one's presence. His works portray various mediums, including oil on canvas, opaque watercolor on paper and mixed media.
The presence of images against a backdrop of textiles, luscious patterns or even figures enclosed in a grid are all assembled into a coherent atmosphere with a touch of contemporary sensibility. His paintings have a strong socio-political context while the themes are based on the facts of life.
The vibrant emotional and expressive compositions of Ali Shah's paintings attracted attention of many big names, some of them on important painting collectors including Benazir Bhutto (Shaheed), Nusrat Bhutto, Pervaz Musharraf, Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad, Zohaib Hassan, Anwar Masqsood.
Syed Ali Shah is Karachi-based artist and has displayed his skilful works in many mediums in Karachi and abroad. He got his Diploma in Fine Arts from Karachi School of Art and has exhibited his works at 21 solo and 29 group shows in different galleries.