Ayaz Jokhio's recent works at Canvas Gallery, Karachi again show his unusual approach towards society. Titled "Non-commissioned Portraits and Landscapes" the exhibition showcases eight of his artworks each portraying distinctive theme.
He was born in Mehrabpur, Sindh and his love of art took him to Lahore where he acquired his bachelor's degree in fine arts, painting (with distinction) from the National College of Arts, Lahore, and since 2006, he has been a faculty member of the Beaconhouse National University, School of Visual Art and Design, Lahore. He has exhibited his artworks at prestigious galleries at home and abroad and impressed many art enthusiasts.
Through his unconventional art he reaches out to the common people of our society. He reflects the harsh realities with a soft touch. Various ambiances of his paintings inter-connect with each other.
Each painting is a set of two paintings related to one another depicting a diversified mood of a single subject. He conveys his message effectively in gauche on wasli through these paintings. He very skilfully explains the sensitive as well as awkward side of a same person or place. The double sided paintings show two different versions of a single subject so well that the viewer stays at each painting to absorb the idea discussed in the painting. He communicates through simple images may it be human figures or landscapes.
Devoid of colours his artworks are a deep reflection of his thoughts in light and shade. This time he selects a new medium and new style to explore the world around, in two versions of a single subject and in gray colour. Shades of gray and black create expressive paintings that talk about themselves. He forms a peculiar atmosphere of his paintings that invites others to indulge in the painting and explore the theme.
There are many different impressions of people and places in his paintings. He touches the historic splendour as well as modern times. In a painting the 'Dargah Sachal Sarmast' is seen in its full glamour with another version showing the Dargah's blurred view as in a dust storm or seen while passing by in a car or other vehicle in a speed. Another historic building he portrays is the 'Wazir Khan Mosque', Lahore. And of modern time images of Karachi city skyline at daytime and in other version at night shows the surprising change of mood of this city of lights.
He very minutely paints a landscape "The Tree" featuring a full grown tall tree having dense foliage having a backdrop of shinning full moon and other trees far away, while the other version shows leafless tree against a backdrop of a full moon in a barren land. His technical expertise is visible in the portraits titled "The tailor (Darzi)", "Barber (Naee)", "The Actress" and "The Student, The Teacher". The detailed study of characters he paints is evident by these paintings. He very artfully portrays a young student and an aged professor showing the hardships and realities of life.
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