ISLAMABAD: As many as 35 artists, all former students of the renowned cubist Mansoor Rahi, came together for ‘Modern Vision-Generation Rahi’, a painting exhibition that opened at Aqs Gallery Friday night.

The display was a vibrant mix of portraits, landscapes, still life, abstract, and architecture on canvases both small and large.

Among the artists presenting their work is Aisha Hussain, who has painted stylized portraits of women using a rich colour plate, while focusing on design and pattern. The result is a visual treat on canvas.

Aania Sajjad Khan dreams things that never were, and incorporate them into her work. “The objects I make are related to old and modernist art. I hope to make visible, what is overlooked in my dreams,” she said.

Art is an expression of emotion or even words for Faryal Yazdanie. She pours her heart into each piece, trying her best to communicate all that lives in her inner world. “It works for me every time, even when my words fail me I can still express myself,” she explained.

Eighteen-year old Mashal Fatima is interested in cubism, transformations and mechanical objects. Her work shows the finesse of a more experienced artist.

The Generation Rahi artists appear to be taking an uncomplicated approach to mediums, emphasising on brushwork, colour and design. The subjects chosen are often traditional as well. A few artists stood out with cool finishes on their pieces. Gloss and matte paint was combined to achieve a textural effect in monotone.

Samina Aamir is inspired by tradition balanced with more modern aesthetic sensibility. “I usually like to make mysterious, stylized figures with tresses framing oval faces,” said the artist.

Shama Malik’s Kashmiri heritage influences the landscapes that come alive in her paintings.

Another student of Rahi’s, Sajida Hussain, has an advanced diploma in painting and sculpture from Hunderkada and has held 11 solo and 16 group shows since her first display in 2000. Her art can be categorised as belonging in the school of impressionistic cubical activity, which is based on human and animal figuration.

“I absorb various objects from my surroundings and compile them with an aim to give shape and colour to my imagination, views and thoughts,” she said.

The exhibition was opened by the European Union Ambassador to Pakistan Lars Gunner Wigemark at the inaugural ceremony where artists were invited to speak before an audience made up of young and old art lovers.

Published in Dawn, October 25th , 2014