KARACHI, Oct 29: These days the very mention of Afghan and Pushtun cultures conjures up undesirable images, which mainly have to do with the sociopolitical turmoil that the region on both sides of the Durand Line has been faced with for the past many years. This oftentimes blinds many of us to the inspiring work that Afghan and Pushtun artists and craftsmen have always come up with and are known for. It is in this context that an exhibition of a collection of semi-precious stone inlay works by artists Farhana Asad and Mehrunnisa Asad in collaboration with Afghan artisans and Peshawar’s Pushtun craftsmen assumes great importance.

The show, titled LEL, opened at the Koel Art Gallery on Tuesday and will continue till Nov 15.

The artwork on display, a result of two decades of hard work and creativity, are part of an endeavour to preserve the art of parchin kari by using age-old techniques as well as contemporary innovative methods. According to the artists’ statement, each piece is meticulously handcrafted by master craftsmen, local Pushtun men and women and Afghan artisans, at the LEL workshop in Peshawar. And the designs have a wide variety ranging from Florentine patterns to Islamic motifs to geometric outlines.

As for LEL, a Koel Gallery official told Dawn that it meant mountains in Persian.