National 10 (Spotlight Weekly)

Enthusiasm And Intelligence

A fascinating array of works by Pakistani painters reflects the diversity and richness of the country

By BINITA PANDEY

Art aficionados in Kathmandu were treated to a fascinating array of contemporary miniatures by 13 aspiring Pakistanis. The exhibition, titled "Negotiating Borders" was presented by Siddhartha Art Gallery in collaboration with the Embassy of Pakistan. The works of Aisha Khalid, Aqeela Shirazi, Humaira Abid, Imran Qureshi, Mariam Khursheed, Nusra Latif, Reeta Saeed, Saira Wasim, Talha Rathore, Tazeen Qayyum and Waseem Ahmed, among others, formed the 36-piece show. Pakistani Ambassador Zamir Akram inaugurated the exhibition, which was held from March 23 to April 1.

Salima Hashmi, an art educationist, writer, and curator from Lahore and the main force behind the promotion of arts in Pakistan, highlighted the variations of paintings. According to her "Negotiating Borders" consciously sets out to admit the diversity of practice and intent in the work of Pakistani artists. It represents the traditional arts, which are 500 years old portraying the current situation of war, globalization, culture, male dominants over female, whole problem of women in Islamic society, their feelings beneath the veil.

Pakastani art

"Looking back is of no consequence, unless we simultaneously look forward and the artistic sharing of today are crucial to the enrichment of our tomorrows. This exhibition is an attempt to trace some of these trajectories. Artist have explored dichotomies and contradictions with enthusiasm and intelligence; creating what is fast becoming one of the most exciting 'streams' in Pakistani art."

In three paintings, Imran Qureshi addresses the man-woman relationships, the menace of nuclear engagement and the persistence of dominance by using mixed media. They speak of the important of maps and territories that shape us, and reactions that occur when distance happens.

Nusra Latif's three paintings, "Choicest Materials", "Sites of Negotiation" and "Balancing Art" trace the colonial presence on submissive recipients and fragile equilibrium. Irony and wit are consistent ingredients.

Tazeem Qayyum questions the notions of nationalism in an age of aggressive globalization and the suppression of difference. She looks at convenient labels that dehumanize and destroy in "Lure to Kill" and "Keep Out of Reach of Children".

Aisha Khalid's "Ongoing" and "One Point Perspective" encompass the dualities that rule our lives, either in our particular corners or as citizen of the world. Her works also comment on the claustrophobia of the domestic space, even as it celebrates seductive pattern and ornaments.

Talha Rahthore's "Move to New York" launched investigations into parallel values and cultural divergence. She proved human behavior in her new environment, observed relationships and reshaped her vocabulary. Talha's husband Fasiullah Ehsan embraces a buoyant new repertoire of images, connecting memories of old Lahore thrust into the brashness of New York.

Waseem Ahmed's "Landscape", "Isolating" I and II describes fleeting visual experiences with hieroglyphic marks and simplifications.

Reeta Saeed confronts the art-and-craft divide relaying message from one to the other by admitting physical fabric onto the picture surface. She has created three art "The Obedient Wife" and "Orthodoxy I and II" by using thread, cloth, paper, block print and tea wash on canvas and by stitching cotton on canvas.

Freelance photographer Usman Saeed's art is influenced by the loss of his mother. Materials used in his work evolve from the loss of his mother and its emotional aftermath.

Mariam Khursheed's and Aqueela Shirazi's works comment on orthodox roles assigned to women, and the persistence of stereotypes.

The youngest artist to appear in the gallery, Shehbano Qizalbash, has emerged herself as a confident, witty image-maker with three works. She borrows from Pahari paintings to construct pictures brimming with social comments.

Humaira Abid revels in the meticulous detail possible in the diminutive format. Interestingly, she refers to similar concerns in her sculpture; the body, its sensuous apparel and the nuances of movement on her work "Games People Play" and "A Women's Place in a Man's World".

"Painting of miniatures is an art form associated with South Asia for many centuries," said Ambassador Akram. "It is heartening to know that young people in Pakistan are keeping this glorious tradition alive in 21st century. This exhibition will no doubt be one more milestone in the promotion of fraternal relations between the peoples of Pakistan and Nepal," he said.

"Investing in creativity is the gallery's main objective this also includes the promotion of regional awareness through the language of art. This exhibition, I am confident, will mark a milestone in bridging the cultural and artistic ties between our two countries," said Sangeeta Thapa, curator, Siddhartha Art Gallery. She described Pakistani art as varied and distinct, the splendor of which was on vivid display for all.

(Pandey is an intern with SPOTLIGHT)