26 February 2004	Thursday	05 Muharram 1425

ISLAMABAD, Feb 25: Masood A. Khan's paintings, whose exhibition started at the Nomad Art Gallery on Wednesday, show a variety of moods expressed in different hues.

Masood has explored the limits of ink, charcoal and gouache in his multi-dimensional surfaces. His work appears like loose grid, wire-like verticals lines through a horizontal mass.

The watercolours on paper are an attempt at recording immediate reality in an entirely different manner. Interior scenes, street views and landscapes are rendered in delicate lines and sensitive hues. It is his special way of treating the subject matter that makes him distinct from other landscape painters.

The artist has concentrated on details of urban areas and folk life by drawing the outlines of objects, either in ink or charcoal, and then putting various layers of almost flat colours. This technique brings simplicity to his work.

The 'subject matter' in Masood's work seems ordinary and typical. Interiors consist of chairs, tables, teacups, jugs, plates and fruits, pets and sections of windows. Likewise, landscapes comprise trees, people, goats and adobe houses. And, in street scenes, blocks of houses are drawn with electric poles and congested wires. But it is the way he approaches his imagery that generates interest and adds an unusual quality to his paintings.

To achieve this, the artist relies on a variety of formal devices. At first glance, his work appears realistic that reveals its imaginative features when observed carefully.

Simple views are made different by overlapping forms and combining outside elements with inside spaces. For example, a few works depict carriages and women carrying umbrellas and in a drawing room environment.

This kind of contradiction enhances the imaginative quality of the work. It is complemented with deliberate distribution of light in a given area. The representation of light does not follow the natural course, and does not emanate from one point - both in indoor and outdoor scenes.

The fascination with architectural substance and technique is evident in his panoramic street scenes. In this body of work, Masood incorporates multiple viewpoints in a single painting to fabricate a sense of reality, larger than the experience of everyday observation.

His work is a testimony of skill and creativity. The thick and thin lines denote his precise observation besides showing the expressive quality in handling the material. In the same way, the choice of delicate tones and luminous colours marks the development of the personal palette.

In these, Masood outlines the essence of his art by stating, "I love to look into simplest beauty of nature rather than illustrating the deep philosophy. Philosophy comes out of intellect and, unfortunately, intellect has never produced good art."

One can argue and disagree with his ideas. But one cannot deny the logic and clarity of his thought, normally lacking in our art world. The only logic for this order perhaps is to provide variety to a viewer - Masood may indulge in mind games of sort, such as hide and seek, lost and found, or mix and match. -APP