LAHORE: An exhibition of paintings by National College of Arts (NCA) graduate Warda Naeem Bokhari opened at Hamyal Art Gallery on MM Alam Road on Monday.

The first solo exhibition of Ms Bokhari titled ‘Metaphors’ was noticed by art enthusiasts for its concept that revolves around ‘Pattoli’ Craft (decorated thread work).

The exhibition unveiled a rather current idiom of traditional jewllery, an art woven into the rich tradition of southern Punjab.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Iranian Cultural Centre Director General Akbar Barkurdari.

The artist through her paintings, sketches and drawings re-harmonised the anatomical boundaries in line with jewellery shapes and lines. The artist explaining her artworks says: “Jewellery being my centre of interest made me to introduce and endorse the dying tradition of Pattoli Craft (decorated thread work) in an innovative style.”

Multan, where she belongs to, is famous for its ethnic jewellery traditions. “Living in Multan, I aimed to assemble the jewellery in an art form. My work ranges a transformation of Ethnic Jewellery “Pattoli” in my stylistic expression,” she said.

“Following the traditional garland embellishment of threads and knots, I tried to transform my ritual practice into contemporary art form.”

The artist graduated from the Multan College of Arts, Bahauddin Zakariya University, in 2010 as a graphic designer. She earned her masters in visual arts from the NCA in 2012. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD in art history from the Punjab University of Lahore.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2014