Viewing the diverse and vibrant art of 12 artists working in the contemporary miniature style exhibited at the relocated Clifton Art Gallery, Karachi, one lauded the efforts of the curator, Wasim Ahmed. A highly esteemed master of the art, Ahmed explored the work of artists from every art institute in Lahore and discovered young artists rejoicing in the rich play of line and colour, each with a unique, personal approach. His choice is authenticated by the inclusion of the stunning work of widely appreciated artist, Mudassar Manzoor.

The art of Mughal miniature painting has a long and fascinating history.

After Shah Tahmasp of Persia commissioned the Shahnama with 258 illustrations in the mid-16th century, his interest in album painting waned and when Humayun returned to win back his kingdom from Sher Shah Suri, the accomplished artists from the Persian court accompanied him and the age of Mughal miniatures began.

Twelve young artists revisit an ancient art

In 1982, the first degree course of miniature art began at the National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore, and presently artists from many art institutes throughout the country are teaching the traditional art.

Amna Manzoor

Aakif Suri’s work is based on his observations of the socio-political scenario surrounding him, blending traditional working techniques and media with the eye of a contemporary painter. The capture of light and subtle elements of shade in the work added strength to his expression.

Amna Manzoor who graduated from the NCA in 2012, was the recipient of the ‘Best Young Artist Award’ by Lahore Arts Council in 2013. Here she touches upon the feminist viewpoint in the work titled ‘Threads of being’, an artwork that offers an insightful complexity of life with its expectations and conventions.

Asif Ahmed who majored in miniature painting in 2004, is a highly successful young artist whose work has been appreciated in international exhibitions across the globe. In his work he transforms borrowed subjects superimposing elements of changing times.

Gold medalist Farah Khan from the College of Art and Design, the University of the Punjab, contributed to the “Pakistani Voices” exhibition held at Phillips Collection Exhibition in 2013. Her work on show expresses the difficulty of working out one’s own identity in present times; she explains that her work is ‘flavoured by the philosophy of Iqbal …’

Hadia Moiz, who graduated with a Distinction from Hunnerkada College, Lahore in 2006, creates an exciting scenario that brings historic scenes to life including battles with tiny figures bordering a chess game titled ‘Hollow victory’ worked in opaque watercolour, ink wash and silver paper.

Imran Mudassar has numerous exhibitions to his credit, both at home and abroad. “In my recent work I have tried to make a comment on how the different elements of war and other objects of destruction have affected our lives …” he explains. His striking image of dark arches with a black kite in a gray sky worked with paint and pencil is an allegory that is profoundly moving.

In her work titled ‘Lost generations of Pakistan’ worked in gouache and graphite, Iqra Tariq explains, “The geometric lattice work has been exploited to construct correlation between the lost society and the linear expression of wasli.”

Mudassar Manzoor’s contribution to the show may be seen a conformation of the talent seen in exhibition. The displayed work is a stunning artwork worked with gouache and gold on wasli. Naveed Sadiq graduated with a Distinction from the NCA in 2006 and went on to teach at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, Karachi. This year he will be joining the Prince School of Traditional Arts, London for further study. His work on show is created with tea wash and pencil titled ‘Larro na’ and worked with enormous delicacy.

‘Clone’ is the title of the skillfully worked collage and gouache art piece by Nazia Gull. Worked in numerous beautiful designs, the figures in the artist’s work appear to examine the inconsistencies of the tensions that rise in relationships.

Saba Saleem enjoys the study of art along with the practice and has participated in several annual exhibitions held at Alhamra, Lahore. Her work on show represents her involvement in the observation of the world around her. The artist’s work titled ‘Perception’ reveals the essence of things invisible to the untrained eye. Working with gouache on wasli, she creates myriad designs from the blocks of a building as seen through shattered glass that reveals the essence of things.

In the work of Sobia Maqsood, she perhaps refers to past traditions of rulers with a portrait of Pervez Musharraf that looks out calmly from a circular design with a background that includes diverse patterns and the suggestion of a female form in the background. It is a painting that adds panache to the show which is not to be missed.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, September 21st, 2014