ISLAMABAD: An encapsulating group exhibition by artists Abrar Ahmed, Mashkoor Raza, Nsir Malik, Poonam Javaid and Ubaid Syed opened at the Nomad Art Gallery on Tuesday evening, allowing art enthusiasts to enjoy a compelling mixture of diverse techniques and styles.
The walls of the gallery were masked with mesmerising pieces that take one through a whimsical tour. Syed, a Pakistani-Swedish artist, uses acrylic on canvas to create his work which features two diverse styles.
One features subtle tones and minty hues to create a series that is soft and alluring and the second style comprises powerful strokes to create vibrant abstract that is engaging and eye-catching.
In his statement, Syed said the essence of art lies primarily in the creation of artistic generalisation and not in representing reality in its concrete form. His paintings are a combination of metaphors and random feelings.
Karachi based artist Ahmed’s work is thought-provoking and intriguing. Using oil on canvas, Ahmed uses bright tones contrasting with soft hues creating a stirring reflection of Gandhara images, Indian miniature paintings and Bengal art.
In his statement, he mentions that his favourite subject matter is women adorned with jewellery in an attempt to show dissatisfaction of the soul despite luxury modern living.
At the exhibition, he brings two very distinct styles to the fore. “His style in the new pieces is traditional with some texts that make them contemporary,” explained Nageen Hyatt, curator of Nomad Art Gallery.
Raza exhibits his signature style which is figurative abstract. Creating transparency with some forms of square, circle and triangles on his canvases, he abstracts images of women and horses. He is inspired by solar eclipse – so he paints the moon and the eclipsed sun in his paintings.
Creating space as an emerging artist, Javaid’s work is bewitching and enchanting. She uses figures, shadows and silhouettes to create mystical images. Using oil on canvas, the artist paints strong hues of blue, orange and red that is gripping. “
There is a connecting of rhythm into the movement and the relationship is evident” said Hyat, commenting on the artist’s work.
Using an old Chinese technique of painting on a wooden plank, artist Malik’s outstanding work in pyrogrpahy is enticing. Malik uses intricate styles to create pieces that are awe-inspiring and a treat to look at.
“It is my madness and love for art that I have worked in so many mediums, as it was my dream to work in them,” he said. The exhibition continues till the end of the month.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 14th, 2015.