January 28, 2006

Gone are the days when dolls were relegated to the position of being a mere plaything for children. Dolls have in fact become so advanced that politicians, actors and all manner of celebrities have been depicted using this medium. Think of the matryoshka dolls and their popularity in portraying just about everyone from Russian peasants to Gorbachev, and you realize that dolls have been used as instruments and influencers of change.

Thanks to an artistic young lady from Canada, Karachiites were also made aware that there is more to dolls than child’s play. Annie Naseem, who has lived in Canada for most of her life and recently finished a degree in Mass Communication, recently held an exhibition at the Alliance Francaise titled Myth Mannequins.

Naseem’s dolls were interesting in that they were more than just dolls, they were women of all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life, and each had a story. And they weren’t necessarily real women, there were mermaids and fairies too, but they also had a story. Most of her dolls are fashioned after characters from legends and accordingly named, like that of high priestess is named Arti and the daughter of the sea king is called Marina.

And how did Naseem venture into doll making? It was accidental, she says. While making a doll as a gift for a younger sister, she realized that she was fascinated by the vast array of sequins, lace and other knick knacks that Pakistani bazaars had to offer and this led to start her doll making days.

She says that initially it took her a month to make the first doll but as she fine tuned her own skills, she was able to turn out a doll every week and eventually do the exhibition. Naseem is pleasantly surprised by the success of the exhibition as she was unsure of whether her efforts would be appreciated in Pakistan. However, her plans extend far beyond Pakistan. She has recently closed a deal with a gallery in Istanbul and hopes to take her small business back to Canada with her.