ISLAMABAD, Nov 10: Sarfraz Musawir's paintings in water colours have been put on display at the Nomad Gallery for a fortnight.

A physicist turned artist, Sarfraz Musawir, has held four solo shows in the past, three in Karachi and one in Lahore. It is for the first time that Mr Musawir has exhibited his works in the federal capital.

"We feel pleased to introduce Mr Musawir in Islamabad and put his deftly drafted and aesthetically pleasing work on display, which portrays excellent control of the medium of water colours and the topics he focuses on including cityscapes and Sufism," Nageen Hyat, director of Nomad, said.

Sarfraz Musawir did his masters in physics in 1986 but was too overwhelmed with his desire to indulge in painting. He gradually shifted all his energies and imagination towards painting.

"After doing my MSc in physics I started focussing on painting. I was overwhelmed by colours and developed this passion in due course of time. In fact I consider water colour as the basic medium and not just a subject," Mr Musawir said.

"When I started painting I became a member of a group of very 'outgoing' friends. Every now and then we would get together and visit places, meet people and observe life. It was an exciting experience that I went through," Mr Musawir said.

His paintings portray varied aspects of life. At times he seems to be too inspired by the mysteries of Sufism as he paints 'Sufis' with tombs and minarets looming in the background.

At times he appears to be overwhelmed by the narrow streets, the old, slow style of life with 'Tongas' plying, people walking in the streets and balconies throwing mysterious shades.

The traditional architecture seems to have caught his focus as he had paid too much attention to project the details of an old structure with the windows gone and those left being in a dilapidated state.

Mr Musawir confesses that working in water colours is a tedious and painstaking exercise.

"I believe I have developed a unique technique in which the paintings present a 'washing' image, like droplets skidding downward.

He said initially he started painting as a self-taught painter. "But with the passage of time I felt that having some formal education in this field (painting) would not be a bad idea. So, I joined Mashkoor Arts School, one of the best in Karachi from where I received my 'Diploma in Fine Arts' in 1998," he said.

"I believe it was good for me to study fine arts formally as it helped me learn so many things at the same time while I was continuing to paint," he added.

Mr Musawir had his last solo show in Lahore back in October 2003, almost over a year ago and that was his first outside Karachi. He had participated in a number of group shows held in various parts of the country.