ISLAMABAD: For the last few months, the white picket fence outside the park in Kohsar Market has been serving as an outdoor gallery for artist Munib Ahmed.

Passersby see a riot of colours as close to 40 pieces in vibrant hues hang from a line and are arranged on the sidewalk. Even Munib’s motorbike parked on the sidewalk has paintings displayed on it.

Life for an artist displaying works on the street, however, is not without its share of struggles.

He sits underneath the tall Eucalyptus trees which may provide shade from the sun but do not keep out rain.

On Monday Munib appeared dejected and said he might not be here tomorrow as he has received a warning from the capital police who want him to acquire a no objection certificate (NOC) from the Station House Officer (SHO) at Kohsar police station.

Scene from Lahore depicted in one of Munib’s paintings. —Photos by the writer (L) Munib uses his motorbike as part of his display. (R)

For the last few years Munib was displaying his works near Peshawar Mor, however construction of the Metro Bus Project made the place inaccessible to customers.

Since moving his display to Kohsar Market he has received warnings from the Capital Development Authority (CDA)which considers his outdoor gallery an encroachment on public property.

“I have sold more paintings since I moved to Kohsar Market. This is an upscale area frequented by foreigners who have a greater appreciation for art,” he said.

Munib describes himself as an impressionist painter and uses the impasto technique to apply paint on the surface of his canvas in thick visible strokes. He applies the paint in such a way that his strokes are textured and colours appear to be oozing out of the canvas itself.

His paintings capture scenes from street life in Lahore to buildings from Islamabad, Murree, Muzaffargarh and other parts of Pakistan.

Munib often travels to his village near Muzaffargarh by road or train and takes pictures along the way.

He then paints the scenes he captures on canvas.

Most of his works are made using oil paint but he also works with water colours and pen.

He has received formal training at the Rawalpindi Arts Council.

While there are some other paintings being sold on sidewalks in Sector F-7, Munib says he is different because he never reproduces other people’s work.

“I sell original works at affordable prices. The paintings range between Rs500 to Rs4,000 for the larger pieces, because I want to keep selling paintings and keep producing more,” he said.

“It’s unfortunate that I am being forced to move my display from here because people will not know where to find me,” he added with a sigh.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2014