The Canvas Gallery, Karachi, exhibited the latest collection of oil on canvas and ink/wash paintings by Abdul Jabber Gull, a body of work that addresses the structure of art making and linking connections to traditions and society.

Here, as one entered the exhibition space, two large canvases on the far wall dominated and symbolised the entire collection. Using his own portrait as a point of departure, Gull has depicted himself in a brilliant, life-like portrayal of the `ordinary soul`. As the subject of his work, the artist holds a canvas illustrating the contrasting, simply defined figure of the `inner man.` The companion canvas illustrates the two-dimensional symbol holding aloft a canvas showing the artist`s portrait. It appears that from that point on, all the work shown in the gallery, flows from the two self-portraits painted with great depth and feeling.

In his work, Gull uses simple forms related to his ideas on the vulnerability of the `ordinary man`. His subjects live a predestined life described with multiple forms and meanings that are depicted through fragmented symbols. The lone source of consolation appears in the presence of a private `inner world` of existence.

Since his first exhibition in Karachi, in 2000, Gull has varied his method of expression in a number of exhibitions that have taken place in Pakistan and abroad. A practicing sculptor making inroads in this hitherto neglected discipline, he enjoys working in a diversity of media exploring techniques in the search for an appropriate presentation of his ideas.

In the paintings and sculptures of Gull, the spiritual source of the work is the timeless form that gives aesthetic relativity to the artistic expression. In his search to create an individual creative language, he draws upon his own experience of life and art discovered through interaction, introspection and time.

The idea or the `ordinary` or universal soul began with a series of sketches worked in 2004, and continued in larger scaled compositions introducing colour through oil on canvas. The work expressed a subject that emerged from a view of age-old tradition and the circumstances that formulate sources of spiritual identity. These convictions were strengthened by the experience of a three month residency in Johannesburg. It was a significant time in the development of Gull`s work, bringing him in contact with artists from all strata of society that made a deep impression on him. He was awe-struck and humbled by artists who created stunning sculpture with almost their bare hands and the obsession to create without facilities and few tools. This experience authenticated the `anonymous majority` viewpoint that Gull had already began to explore.

After a gap of two to three years, the artist is showing his work in exhibitions in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. In Lahore, at the Royat Gallery, he will show a collection of metal sculpture from the `Flying thoughts` series that he describes as “An exciting opportunity to explore the malleable qualities of the metal media.”

Talking of this work he explains, “I endeavour to discipline my thoughts and create order by juxtaposing them with symbols of awareness.” These exhibitions will be followed by a display at the Nomad Gallery, Islamabad, where Gull plans to show a collection of multi-media work and hopes to interact with the lively students of art departments of the Islamabad colleges.

At Canvas, as in previous work, the forms in Gull`s paintings are simple and understated, but they are placed in a setting of jumbled symbolism. The clever juxtaposing of patterns of design identifying cultural, political and traditional symbols appears at first glance as a device representing the identities of legendary magicians of past times.

In this confusion of clashing motifs, the guileless faces of the meditative figures succeed in dominating the scene by powerfully self-absorbed introspection transported to a mood of tranquillity. The paintings continue to induct a pattern of unrelated letters that predict the fate of each soul, pre-ordained and inescapable. The work is based upon a measured understanding of form and shape, light and shade used in an aesthetic effort to reconcile the physical with the metaphysical. It expresses the innovations of a creative artist tempered by the world he lives in.

1) Unseen realities I; 2) The title is Untitled (pair); 3) Destiny

4) Khud Shanaasi; 5) Choices

6) Speechless