February 23, 2008

The Ejaz Galleries in Lahore recently hosted a group show where artists displayed landscapes, seascapes, cityscapes and figure compositions in realist, impressionist and expressionist styles.

A student of English literature, and a self taught artist, Abid Khan exhibited oil paintings, some of which portrayed seascapes while others were stunning glimpses of the Murree hills. The colour tints in his works may prevent them from being categorised as ‘romantic’, but they definitely enhance the pastoral values. Abid seems to walk into his subject matter and diligently builds it up, all the time fascinated by the variations the colours provide him.

Also exhibiting landscapes was A Q Arif who composed his paintings on display in two sizes; the smaller ones have the skyline of city architecture, which glows with the brightness of the sun. His larger canvases have the silhouette of traditional buildings and the surrounding flora. A stream of sharp, scintillating light pierces his compact arrangements through the centre.

Portraying placid moods were Zarah David’s surreal landscapes. Visualised as bands of euphoric hues, the paintings have an elusive mist that seems to be in motion. The solid lines of delicate trees are friendless and lack the warmth of foliage. As the mist continues to sit heavily on the bare trees, there is no sun shining, just an occasional radiance. The shades of green, red, dark grey and black are not emergent, but rather petrified.

Using strong lines and colours, Amjad Naeem’s work tends to create a resonance using repetitive motifs. He paints scenes of pleasant evenings which seem to have an imminent light from within. Theatrically presented, the buildings are huge and dotted by a multitude of people.

A practicing clinical psychologist who engages in art for therapeutic results, Asim Amjad has painted deeply imbedded psychological issues and their implications. His brush or palette knife is laden with paint and he has used the female figures as a tool for his statements of intense expression.

One can easily see influences and backdrops in Najmi’s work however, the bottom line is that he is an inspired artist. His paintings portrayed a lot of energy since he has recently returned to his hometown, Chakwal after an extended sojourn abroad. Though his colours are crisp and joyous, his observation and skill are both quite mature.

Bringing in the Baloch landscape with a realistic approach is Faheem Baluch’s work. He shows caravans treading the same ancient paths and the rugged mountains that have stood tall and majestic since time immemorial. Baluch’s strokes are modulated and the colours he uses are very close to reality.

Pursuing his doctoral studies in art from the University of Punjab, Iqbal Khokar displayed figure composition of everyday rural life that can be seen everywhere in Pakistan. Tea stalls, inns and tandoors, are drawn in flat and simplistic strokes but not at the cost of form. The colours are sun baked and carry an inherent brilliance.

A rich and warm collection of works, the exhibition was especially appreciated in the aftermath of a dreary winter in Lahore.

Under the hammer

Aninaugural auction in Dubai by Bonham’s of London, is scheduled to take place in Dubai on March 3, 2008. The auction will feature modern and contemporary Arab Iranian, Indian and Pakistani Art, at the Ballroom of the Royal Mirage Hotel.

The paintings in the Pakistan section include some of the country’s most venerated artists with works taken from private collections outside Pakistan. Thus, one may gauge how much of the country’s national treasures were acquired by foreign buyers. Among the items to be auctioned one finds a mosaic lapiz painting ‘Polo’ by Gulgee, ‘Maidens contemplating moths at a flame’, by A R Chughtai, a painting from the renowned ‘Sohni’ series by Ustad Allah Bux, Still-life artwork by Sadequain, and prime examples of the works of living masters such as, Jamil Naqsh, Najmi Sura, Zahoorul Akhlaque, Ahmed Khan and Tassaduq Sohail.

Viewing superb example of the ‘Lonely Girl’ series ‘Girl threading a flower through her hair’, is a bitter-sweet experience. During his years in advertising, Bashir Mirza handled several foreign companies, none more appreciative than the German clients who acquired a lot of his work. Pakistan may be justly proud of its artists.      Marjorie Husain

Top: Iqbal Khokar

Left: Faheem Baluch

Extreme left: Zarah David