KARACHI: Book examining India, Pakistan art launched
By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, March 10: An art book ‘Memory, Metaphor, Mutations: Contemporary Art of India and Pakistan’, written by Salima Hashmi and Yashodhara Dalmia, was launched by the Oxford University Press, Pakistan yesterday. The richly illustrated book, published by OUP India, explores the contemporary art of India and Pakistan and the distinct identity that each has carved for itself given the diversity of life and culture in the region.
The authors look at how South Asian art is crossing new cultural and geographical borders to become transnational, while retaining its unique and authentic format.
The High Commissioner of India, Satyabrata Pal, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said the Indian High Commission was in contact with their Pakistani counterparts to facilitate frequent exchange of art, culture, literature and other facets of life shared by the people of India and Pakistan.
Renowned art critic Marjorie Husain congratulated the co-authors and the publishers for bringing out an art book which examined the cultural differences affecting the art of the two neighbouring countries and addressed the multiplicity of their experiences.
Salima Hashmi, the dean at the school of visual arts at Beaconhouse National University, gave a slide presentation of a selection artworks showcased in the book. She started with A.R. Chughtai and Shakir Ali and talked about the art of Ahmed Ali Manganhar and other young artists.
In the first part of the book, she introduces the art practices of Pakistan and developments since Partition. She goes on to discuss the work of women artists in the country, who have recently come out in a forceful manner, and also gives an overview of artists who have blended rather uniquely the miniature tradition with contemporary tends to articulate their experiences.
The second section by Yashodhara Dalmia, art historian, traces the historical development of art in India from the turn of the 20th century till the present.
The essay on women artists highlights some significant works which bring to the forefront issues of the self, the country, and the world. The last two chapters provide an account of the multiple, hybrid styles of young artists which are at once international and local.
The organisrs read out a message sent by Ms Dalmia from India while Ameena Saiyid, the managing director of the OUP, thanked the guests.
