Capturing Faiz’s thoughts on canvas
ISLAMABAD: Abstract artist Abid Hasan has wandered on a challenging path by producing over 40 exquisite paintings on Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s poetry.
His painting exhibition ‘Noor-e Sehr — a tribute to FaizÂ’ opens Saturday at gallery6.
Hasan stands out as contemporary abstract painter, who creates his compositions through the application of chemical processes and oil paints on layers of original silver and gold leaf applied on canvas. The reaction of oxidising agents on silver and gold creates enticing textures, on which he overlays paints to produce aesthetically dazzling works.
In 1998 at the first solo show of Hasan at Indus Gallery in Karachi, legendary Ali Imam had declared, “He is gifted with an inquisitive mind and painterly sensibilities, which nature bestows on few painters. One would watch his further progress as he will try to climb the ladder to achieve eminence as a painter of significance.”
This exhibition affirms Hasan as a painter with an inquisitive mind. The compositions are intense and energetic, reflecting an inner voice that cannot remain unheard. The enticing hues visually demonstrate the magnificence of Faiz’s themes of love and beauty, which were submerged in the larger social and political issues of the times.
Faiz’s enigmatic voice for social justice and humanism with passionate love became a beacon of hope and Hasan had successfully captured the spirit of the renowned verses.
The work “Phir noor-e-seher dast-o-girebaan hai seher se” captivates the viewer by the intricate effects of breaking of light rays from the darkness, while “Sehr ka roshan ufaq yaheen hai” creates the magical feeling of being in the moment of dawn. And “Baam-e-minaa se maahataab utare, dast-e-saaqi mainn aaftaab aaye” takes one on a different stride.
On one wall there is striking “Ye dhoop kinara sham dhalay” and on another is evocative “Ayae hath uthain hum bhi….” painted with dark female figures. An imaginative use of hands and finger prints narrates a moving tale of many innocent lives lost in the war of terror in “Hum jo tareek rahoun mein maray gai”, and the will not to surrender had been portrayed through juxtaposition of ropes in “Zaban pe muhr lagi hai tou kya”.
Commenting on the show, Dr Arjumand Faisel, curator of the gallery, said: “The treatment shows his command over the medium with effects that are captivating. The imagery is original, with new symbols and vocabulary and there is depth in each composition. We are witnessing empowerment of a new medium.”
Discussing his works, Hasan says he wants to spread message of love and peace through colors and forms. “Today, it is more needful than ever to rebuild the dignity of our country.” The exhibition will continue till June 3.
Source: Dawn
Date:5/21/2011
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