LAHORE, Feb 1: The Government College University's fine arts department is organizing a two-day exhibition the main attraction of which is the display of needle art by a craftswoman of acknowledged standing.

Ms Sajida Hanif Abbasi, who has won wide acclaim, has put 20 of her masterpieces on display as a guest artist at the exhibition beginning at the GCU's Islam Hall on Wednesday (today).

Her works include portraits of the Quaid-i-Azam, Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal and other leaders of the Pakistan Movement, besides scenes from Kashmir, environment degradation, and messages of the Poet of the East.

Among the artisans the country has produced, Ms Abbasi stands out as a stalwart of needlework through which she has embroidered natural and cultural images, and portraits of national heroes.

In the age in which people have turned to technology, she feels proud to introduce herself as a craftswoman who uses the point of a needle to give her dreams some shape. A needle, (coloured) thread and cloth are all she uses to embroider a picture or a portrait.

Gifted with natural talent, she has been wielding needle for a long time to serve the traditional craft. She claims to have dedicated her life to Pakistani culture, which is evident from the images and sights she works upon.

Ms Abbasi has to her credit hundreds of eye-catching and intricate designs that have won her plaudits she richly deserves. The portraits of the national leaders she has embroidered on cloth manifests her patriotic zeal.

Messages of peace and need for harmonius living frequently speak through the colours of her designs and are a source of inspiration. So are verses from the Holy Quran, poetry and quotable quotes.

She has also exploited her creative skills to design birthday and greeting cards, which mean a lot to children. Ms Abbasi, who still remembers playing with needle and thread in her childhood, has stole the limelight by winning prestigious awards on several occasions.