LAHORE, May 24: An exhibition of paintings and artworks by students and faculty of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) opened at the central courtyard of the academic block on Thursday.

The works of 20 artists, photographers and jewellery designers have been put on show.

All the artists are members of the LUMS Arts Society and a majority of them work on their creations in their free time. According to one of the organisers, all the participants have brilliant talent.

While students from the National College of Arts are also lending a helping hand, right now the university has no proper gallery and only an ‘art room’ which needs changes.

One of the artists and student, Qazi Saif has been drawing and painting since he was in sixth grade. Also majoring in economics, Qazi was encouraged by his parents when he drew in his sketchbook as a kid. And his work, which was put on display, was made by him when he was doing his O- and A-levels. Qazi processes his work digitally and uses the Photoshop software for this purpose.

Dr Ashraf Iqbal is one of the faculty members whose digitally-processed photographs have been exhibited. Priced at 5,000 rupees for outsiders and 2,000 rupees for students, proceeds from the sale of his work shall go into the National Outreach Programme. A holistic programme for those who cannot afford education themselves, the university members go to remote areas, find out high achievers and induct them into the university for training in summers. There are no special seats reserved for such students and by way of this initiative, candidates are first brought to the hostels, prepared for giving the SATS exams and then appear for the entry test to LUMS. Once they are selected, all of their expenses, from boarding to education, hostel charges and even nutrition is provided for by the University. Starting in 2001, this programme has so far turned out to be successful with the first batch of students having passed out this year.

On the whole, according to Zainab, a spectator and a student, the present exhibition was fine but had more of collages and photographs rather than paintings. Another comer was of the view that the exhibition overall was quite immature, though there were many good ones even.

The exhibition shall continue till the 26th. — Sadaf Siddiqui