Imbued with design and culture the two person show at Canvas Gallery, Karachi attracted the art lover's attention. The artworks were visually appealing and symbolically derived from different aspects of life. Both the artists Affan Baghpati and Raheela Abro acquired Masters Degree from the Beacon House National University (BNU) Lahore. Brought from the various markets of different cities of the country the collection of antique items became more beautiful and attractive in the hands of Affan Baghpati.
His work dealt with nostalgia in this series titled "Once Upon a Land" by working with found vintage items that were once functional but now found in discarded household objects at old homes store room or metal retailers because they have lost their relevance in the present times. These items are still functional in some regional homes and old grandfathers and grandmothers won't let go of their old habits of using these once regularly used everyday items.
Affan re-designed these objects to make them more beautiful and artistic by constructing and reconstructing motifs and gave a new look to the existing objects. He implemented different ideas and concepts to decorate these items and made them a decorating item instead of a daily useable object. Now they have became collectable items that reminded the past life where these objects were once integral part of everyday life.
Thus these hybrid objects informed viewers not just the history, design and culture of South Asia but also engaged them with their aesthetic sensibilities that are no more practiced in this age of plastic. He has created artworks designed to absorb and provoke the viewer's attention as they interact with the display. He unleashed his aesthetic potential by using the innovative ideas and the thematic expressions behind his works.
Beyond the visual delight of these works of art, all of the artworks were intended to foster an emotional engagement with the viewers as everybody must have seen or saw their relatives or grandparents using one of these objects in their daily routine like pipe, sarota, katori, dibya, surmedani, jug and lota. He used copper, brass, fibreglass, silicone and gold leaf for his works other than a few, 22 carat gold plated artworks.
Raheela Abro explored her creativity through paintings while using vibrant tones and simple subjects with a unique point of view. Her vibrant paintings exude serenity and spirituality. She has also created images by using light and shadows. This play of light and shadows gave a subtle strength to her paintings.
Her works were based on a legendary character, Watayo Faqir's wisdom and philosophy. He was a local legend a folklore that has passed down from generation to generation and widely known in Sindh while children were told his traditional stories. She was much inspired by the observational facts explained in Faqir's folklores.
Her series of paintings were under the title "White" which signifies heavenly light which is also her inspiration and a way to be near the creator. She painted various living things like birds, animals and plants in relation to the light just to define the relationship between creator and his
creatures.
The colourful compositions along with white provided a serene atmosphere. The vibrant colours of paintings disclosed an exciting experience of an unknown feeling. The refreshing and broad background of her paintings gave the feeling of depth and wideness. She infused the feelings of inner enlightenment with deep hues of red, green, white, ochre and blue.
(The writer can be reached at nadeemzuberi71@gmail.com)