The recent opening of the new Artscene Gallery 2 in Karachi was an exuberant affair. This event added to the La Rive Gauche style Paris ambience in that area, with new galleries opening and offering a variety of art for visitors to enjoy.

The collection of artwork on display at the Gallery was shown on two floors of the spacious gallery. On display one discovered art with watercolours, oils, abstract works, figurative, magical realism, calligraphy and paintings in a classic style, with the work of contemporary artists from the era of Ahmed Parvez to present times.

Extreme individualism and diverse influences have generated a plethora of styles from abstraction to visual metaphors in Pakistan. In recent years the number of artists has multiplied, new art institutions established and galleries proliferated in major towns.

Celebrating artworks of 45 artists in a grand show

Artists in Pakistan are aware of international art developments and several have earned international acclaim. Viewing the work on display at the exhibition, one is aware of the re-evaluation of the definition of art and aesthetics that has led artists to examine their own traditions, aspiring to acknowledge the past while also being cognisant of the changes brought about by modernity.

Untitled, Mehar Afroz.

Although there is no space to review individually the work of the 45 artists shown, yet the work of each artist deserves appreciation. One must applaud the brilliant watercolour paintings of artist/educationist Ali Abbas, whose work was recently awarded ‘Top Honours’ in the third International Watercolour Biennale, held in Spain. There was also eye-catching, unusual work from Farukh Shahab who covered the surface of a dividing wall with self-portraits worked in unusual textures using oil and acrylic media on narrow planks of wood.

Gazing at the work on show, one must acknowledge the ‘Golden Anniversary’ of the Karachi School of Art (KSA), 50 years existence of an institute that has produced many outstanding artists. Among the contributing artists in the exhibition, one found many of the artists had begun their art education at the KSA.

Tracing the history of art in the country through the work exhibited was a moving experience. Among the earlier generation there was previously unseen work by A.R. Nagori, Gulgee’s exuberant swirls of colours, graphite drawings by Jamil Naqsh, paper work by Kazim, the haunting muse of Mansur Aye and the exotic world of Tasaduq Sohail.

Five of the artists contributing to the show were women. New and interesting directions were seen in the work contributed by Mona Naqsh, Meher Afroz and Nahid Raza; while the exquisite calligraphy of Mussarat Arif incorporated varied patterns and geometric designs. A fibre and metal sculpture of Rabia Zuberi from the ‘Quest for Peace’ series was a remarkable example of the sculptor’s dignified and meaningful signature style.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, October 26th, 2014