Karachi Art Scene 2014 opens with work of 45 artists on display | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Karachi Art Scene 2014 opens with work of 45 artists on display

Pakistan Press Foundation

KARACHI: An exhibition with the theme Karachi Art Scene 2014 opened here Monday carrying work of no less than 45 artists attempting to convey the contemporary art scene of the metropolis.

The event opened at the recently launched chapter of the ArtScene Gallery left the viewers enthralled by the choice of colours, combinations and contrasts professed by the painters through their work.

The tension in Javed Qamar’s brightly coloured oil on canvas calligraphy catches the attention of the viewer at first glance as different names of Allah are inscribed on a globe in a well-developed perspective.

Use of red and green contrasts by the painter were beautiful and powerful while the composition itself spoke of His omnipotence – that He is all over the globe in different forms.

Interestingly, the most distinguished names in the painting were “Al Musavir” and “Al Bari”, and these attributes of God were registered to be those that the artist feels most relatable to.

On display are also two of Gulgee’s excellent masterpieces. The thought process behind his works is deeply intricate. In one of the works, the word “Allah” was inscribed. A closer inspection shows that the colours used are typical of a rainbow. Gulgee’s Sufi inclinations come to surface in his works.

Saeed Qureshi’s abstract art pieces were equally gripping. It was not only that the texture of the oil on canvas painting was beautiful with strokes rising from the surface, the colours used by the painter were vibrant while the tension captivating.

Female figures dominate many artworks. While SM Naqvi uses the woman as a symbol of love and beauty in a dreamy ambience, Raja Changez Sultan seems to tread upon quite the opposite journey.

Naqvi’s work is definitely outlined in bright colours. In contrast, Sultan’s painting of three female figures in blue and white tones seems gloomy. The faces are sad and devoid of hope with the eyes closed.

A similar contrast is provided by the adjacently positioned paintings of Abrar Ahmed and Chitra Pritam. While Ahmed focuses on women’s jewellery serving as an enhancement of their beauty, Pritam seems to use the motif to comment on the bondage of women in any literal sense.

Maqbool Ahmed is also inspired by the female form. However, his play with hues leaves his images blurry and incomplete. Nevertheless, this play is skilful and leaves the viewer wondering about the images. In particular, the diminished expressions on the faces have a great effect on the viewer.

The female form, alongside that of a pigeon, reverberates throughout Jamil Naqsh’s work. Using pencil on paper, Naqsh has drawn a juxtaposition of the woman and pigeon which is ripe with symbolism. His works seem to cherish the beauty of the woman figure, which is often expected to meet certain standards.

Pigeons also serve as the motif on Irfan Ahmed’s 48 by 60 inches canvas. However, his oil on canvas works employ different techniques and are totally the reverse of Naqsh’s toned down works. While Ahmed also uses the colours black and white, his works are more vibrant and vivid. However, there is juxtaposition in his works, too.

The white and coloured pigeons appear to signify truth and lies. “I consider that art is a lie that makes us realise the truth, or at least, the truth that is given to us to understand,” says Ahmed, according to the catalogue.

When it comes to truth, one is often left to wonder what is real and what is not. Akram Spaul’s works, though very simple, leaves the viewer pondering over the said question. His surrealistic oil on canvas paintings show images that look just like real life images. But the viewer knows that it is not real.

This knowledge takes the viewer into a realm of wonder in which he is left to reflect on the realities of life.

The artworks will be on display till Saturday, said curator of the gallery Muhammad Ramzan.

Daily Times