uxtapose simply explained means ‘place side by side’. At a recent showcasing at Islamabad’s Gallery 6, businessman-turned-painter Ibraheem Haneef Ramay gave the term juxtaposition a new definition. In his paintings bringing out specific qualities or creating an effect between two contrasting elements has achieved this.

Ramay assists in helping the viewer’s attention in being drawn to both the similarities and differences between the features on the surface of the canvas. The painter’s first solo show titled, ‘Utopian Hues’ is a medley of abstract and calligraphy paintings.

Ramay is the son of the famous artist and intellectual Haneef Ramay who pioneered in modern Islamic calligraphic paintings. The artist talks about his father’s teaching methods in creating a painting by mixing different colours and various ways on how to treat a canvas. His ability to comprehend artwork by other artists is also an achievement on behalf of his father.

Ramay’s displayed pieces are oils on canvas where the use of mark making is in contrast to an area of controlled rendering or an area of detail is in distinction with a portion that is softly handled. Lines, forms, shapes portray an organic and geometric quality in the paintings. One is reminded of the art of Spanish painter Joan Miro whose work is remembered for its joyful celebration of life and colour.

Balancing compositions, conscious organisation of recognisable forms and dismantling traditional precepts of representation are common features in both Miro and Ramay’s imagery. In ‘Monkey business’ and ‘The third eye’ the artist exemplifies his distinct style. He employs bold defined black dots within an array of different shapes and lines. With these shapes, he conceives an energetic piece brought to life by the precise placement of geometric shapes and bright colours.

Following the abstract paintings are Ramay’s calligraphic images, which considered in this manner pay homage to his late father. Loops, ovals, circles, vertical and horizontal lines make up the compositions in his calligraphic paintings. Shades and hues of bright yellow, sublime blue, resplendent purple and genteel red create harmony and rhythm on the canvas.

A certain zest for life and an outburst of inspired passion seep through reminding one of Ramay’s late father’s ability to captivate the viewer. In the painting ‘Allah’ the combination of colour along with the circular motion of the khatati is inviting. The bright yellow and orange that circulates the blue is similar to an emblem whereas ‘Muhammad’ is a reminder of all that is beautiful in nature.

Directing his cultivated energy toward the pursuit of a new language, Ramay has challenged himself by engaging in experimentation in his paintings by replacing realistic forms with abstract geometric formations. As stated by the artist, there is one word that could describe his work and that would be joy!