RAWALPINDI: Using tonal subtleties in perfect balance to evoke emotional responses from the viewer reflects the technical astuteness of any artist. The four young women exhibiting their work at the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) on Tuesday managed to do just that.

The astounding finesse and artistry displayed by these artists who are recent graduates of the Punjab University in Lahore attracted a large number of art lovers to the exhibition.

Artists Rabia Zubair, Almas Fatima, Wajiha Zubair and Zuhra Rubab have skillfully combined both contemporary and traditional techniques in printmaking to create masterful pieces.

Rabia Zubair’s work tells the story of resilience, evoking a range of emotions, from painful to jubilant, while Almas Fatima’s work artfully communicates its central theme of desire, drawing the viewer into the inner world of the artist.

The 40 pieces featured in the exhibition are mostly abstract in form and use printmaking techniques such as line etching, collograph, open bites and mixed media.

Talking to Dawn, Rabia Zubair said that she wanted to introduce new techniques in printmaking. She has used shades of blue and brown, rather than the traditional black and white of press prints.

Almas Fatima combines a number of techniques and she has not allowed herself to be bound by traditions in the field.

She has grown up in Bahawalpur, and the warm earthy tones of South Punjab’s landscape have found their way into her work.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Toshikazu Isomura , cultural councilor of the Embassy of Japan, who appreciated the work of the young artists.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Mr. Isomura said that Pakistan’s youth is very talented and there was a need to provide them with the right platforms to display their work.

He appreciated the work of the artists and said that new ideas should be explored to further improve their work.

RAC Resident Director Waqar Ahmed said that the young talent had been given this platform to showcase their work.

He said that the RAC is making an attempt to not make distinctions between young and old artists, providing an equal opportunity to all. He said that the artists exhibiting their work today are talented artists.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2014