KARACHI: How often does it happen that you visit an art gallery and instantly feel spoilt for choice? Not very often. Visiting the Koel Art Gallery, where the exhibition titled ‘Sindh – Reverberating Sounds Echo through the Desert’ curated by Mohammad Zeeshan opened on Friday evening, brings the idiom ‘an embarrassment of riches’ to mind. The 57 exhibits on display, made by 57 renowned artists from Sindh, are a delight to watch because of the variety of subjects they touch upon and the manner in which they do so. Reversing Oscar Wilde’s words, these artworks say a lot and talk less.

Imran Channa draws memories, literally. And that’s where the fun lies. I say literally for it’s a shadowy, misty image in which there’s a lot taking place at breakneck speed but very little to retain or gather. The graphite on paper piece is the triumph of imagination.

Ghulam Hussain Soomro juxtaposes two different social worlds in a piece called ‘Catwalk’ (digital print on paper). It is not a satire, as it were; nor is it a social commentary. Mr Soomro is himself looking at them, giving them equal attention. He does not seem to be amazed by the two poles-apart scenes. He is trying to come to terms with them.

Fakeera Fakeero diminishes the difference between the rural and the semi-urban in an untitled (black ink pointer pen on paper) exhibit. But the artist puts a halt to a moving scene and makes the transformational phase of the picture look like a permanent fixture.

Ali Abbas adds the vital Sufi element to the show by virtue of his masterful ‘Laal Ki Sada’ (watercolour on paper). The detailing of the moment he has captured is quite startling.

Shahana Munawar, however, keeps the flame of romance alive in ‘Dil Dharakne Ka Sabab Yaad Aya’ albeit with memory-jogged musings. It’s a bit of a departure from the general tone of the exhibition, which is good.

Khuda Bux Abro’s ‘Demographics’ (oil on canvas) reaffirms the artist’s sharp understanding of the socio-political shortcomings in society. The objects, not to mention the faces, in his oil-on-canvas exhibit are a give-away but in a manner that makes the viewer think about the subject ever so deeply.

Munawwar Ali Syed brings into focus the phrase ‘Between the Lines’ (metal) and turns those lines barbed wires of sorts. So whatever is being said is through those pointy and thorny things. Interesting stuff.

This writer’s favourite piece, apart from the ones made by masters such as M. Rustam Khan, is Qadir Jhatyal’s ‘Gathering’ (enamel on canvas). The viewer can almost strike up a conversation with the colours that have pulsating energy.

The show will be open till May 3.