MINGORA, June 9: The local artists showcased culture of the area and expressed their desire for lasting peace in the region through their creative works displayed in a seven-day exhibition here.

The art exhibition, titled Rangoona (colours), was organised by Hunerkada, Islamabad in collaboration with Swat Serena Hotel.

The wife of Peshawar Corps Commander Lt-Gen Khalid Rabbani inaugurated the exhibition while Swat General Officer Commanding (GOC) Maj-Gen Sanaullah Niazi, Hunerkada chairman Jamal Shah, Malakand Commissioner Dr Fakhr-i-Alam, DIG Abdullah and civil and military officers were present on the occasion.

The works of local artists including calligraphy, painting, abstract art and wooden art were displayed in the exhibition. The wife of the corps commander appreciated the works of local artists and took keen interest in their paintings.

“Swat was affected by militancy four years ago, but now there is peace in the district,” said Maj-Gen Niazi on the occasion.

He said that army was working for promotion of healthy activities as it had restored peace in Swat.

He said that besides the art exhibition, army would hold summer festival in Kalam that would start from June 20.

“Last time about 0.5 million people visited the summer festival, but this time we are expecting more people to come to Swat and participate in the festival,” Maj-Gen Niazi said.

Earlier in his welcome address, Jamal Shah said that the artists of Swat were contributing to promotion of peace through their creative works.

“We have established a branch of Hunerkada in Swat to provide a platform to local artists to come forward and exhibit their skills,” Mr Shah told Dawn. He said that the branch would be formally inaugurated in August this year.

Amna Shah, the director of Hunerkada, said that it was for the first time that an art exhibition was organised in Swat. “I am really impressed by the quality of works and talent of the artists of Swat. They need a little polishing,” she added.

She said that future of fine arts was bright in Swat as local artists were doing well in that field.

Murad, a local artist, said that his paintings depicting landscape were displayed in the exhibition to give a massage to preserve the natural beauty of Swat.

Nasir, another artist, focused on education, particularly female education, in his paintings. He told Dawn that the image of Swat of tarnished owing to militancy.

The artists were trying to tell the world through their works that they were peace loving people, he added.

Faisal Sultan Kohzad portrayed intolerance in educational institutions through his abstract art. He said that it would be difficult for children to bear pressure in practical life if they experienced torture in schools for more than 10 years.