COME July and the humidity becomes unbearable for the Islooites, who can run but cannot hide from it. Since most of the air-conditioners are run on official bills, Islamabad Electrical Supply Corporation becomes rich overnight. Thank God, the typical Islamabad weather, three days of scorching heat and then a thunderstorm, is returning to the capital. Opening of Ukiyo-e show, a traditional Japanese woodblock prints, at the National Art Gallery coincided with the sudden cloudburst last week. The Islooites, early this year received advent of monsoon, with a warm welcome.

A rare treat for the Islamabad art circle, the exhibition was a part of the 50 years of Pakistan-Japan Friendship celebrations. Curated by Lahore based artist, Sabah Hussain, who holds a masters degree from Koyoto City Arts College, specializing in printmaking, the exhibition provided a deep insight into the art Ukiyo-e, (literary meaning the pictures of the floating world) which originated in the late 17th century. The 38 prints on display from 18th century Japan are not the originals but copies, mostly Sabah’s private collection, produced during the late 18th and early 19th century by four eminent artists.

For Sabah the main objective behind all the effort was to show the students, especially of graphic designing and printmaking, a glimpse of this fine work of art. .

As for the early monsoon, rainwater had accumulated inside the gallery and visitors had to jump over pools of water. Even three days after the inaugural, the gallery was surrounded by a damp odour. It is only the start of monsoon and one wonders what damage this dampness can cause to the valuable Sadquains hanging on the walls as a permanent display at the gallery. Every year promises are made (to be broken) and budgets are allocated for the National Gallery under construction in sector G-5, Islamabad. But the building never seems to be completed.