KARACHI: The old Urdu/Hindi adage Honahaar birwa ke chikne chikne paat implies that the potential of a (child) prodigy can be spotted at a very early stage. But Birwa, an exhibition that opened at Gallerie Sadequain on Friday evening to pay tribute to the blossoming art scene in Pakistan, does not only focus on the budding talent alone. It also celebrates the trail blazed by some senior painters and sculptors of the country, stirring a movement of sorts that has now culminated in a flourishing art culture in the country. The inaugural day, however, was marked by performance art featuring Joshindar Chaggar, Shabana Hasan, Vajdan Shahl and Sara Pagganwala.

Joshinder Chaggar is an actress and dancer. Anyone who has seen her work in theatre productions would agree that she’s known for her lithe footwork and a sharp sense of timing. Here, in an act called ‘Bird of Paradise’, she curbs her natural instincts to keep her movement measured. There’s a reason for it. The idea is to highlight the importance of freedom. The definition of freedom, however, can vary. Sometimes it is the very existential idea of oscillating between being and nothingness which defines the liberty of a creature. Chaggar interprets the concept well.

Vajdan Shah’s spin on aloofness faced by individuals in a piece titled ‘Bund Arms Open’ deals with the subject in a rather overt manner, leaving not much to viewer’s imagination, because that is how, in the artist’s mind, the message will be put across.

Shabana Hasan and Sara Pagganwala draw attention towards duality and artificiality of existence. They do their job with a fair degree of conviction.

Apart from that, there are a variety of paintings and sculptures on display, reinforcing the fact that art in Pakistan is in safe hands. Uzma Sultan’s ‘Tibet Snow’ (oil on vinyl), for example, is a striking work of art. It speaks, by virtue of a profusion of colours and dour faces, of a place, and perhaps a yesteryear phase, that is readily identifiable, and takes the viewer on a hard-to-miss journey.

Zarmina Khan’s ‘Mysterious Path’ (watercolour on paper) elicits a diametrically opposed response. The artist creates a hazy landscape which does not trick the viewer into finding multiple meanings, rather hints at some lucid memories that only the artist can shed light on.

Noori Berdi reinterprets the word ‘shy’ in an impressive painting called ‘Coy’ (acrylic on canvas). The colour red, which usually denotes passion and aggression, is made to look subdued in the artwork. Subdued, but not silent!

The show, participated by more than two dozen artists, is curated by Pomme Amina Gohar and Mehreen Hashmi, and organised by the culture department. It will run until Dec 6.

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2015