ISLAMABAD: Colourful scenes from life in villages are captured in the paintings featured in a new show that opened at Jharoka Art Gallery.

The artist, Ajab Khan, is originally from Dera Ismail Khan and is exhibiting his work in the capital for the first time. In this new show, 24 oil paintings are on display and they are priced between Rs30,000 and Rs75,000 each.

The works in this show capture the artist’s fascination with nature.

“For people like me, living in harmony with nature is a source of artistic inspiration and creativity,” Ajab Khan told his guests at the opening day of his show.

He is also well known for his work in calligraphy, however his landscapes are unique and he is often called the ‘landscape expressionist’.

Work in both styles has earned him appreciation both at home and in the Middle East where he has shown his work.

The paintings in this latest show are a play in colour and contrast. Each piece is an explosion in colour.

He depicts the pale colour of sand, the blazing shades of a sunset, the greens and yellows of fields and the blue of water in motion.

Ajab Khan’s paintings have photographic quality to them.

The placement of each object on the canvas is done in such a way that often eyes are drawn to something like a mud house in the distance, tucked between green trees or yellow mustard crops.

There is so much depth and detail in each work that it feels like one is transported to the place itself.

“Each work takes us to the original place which inspired it,” said Sheraz Malik, a visitor to the show.

“He is not just painting but capturing the moment and the feeling,” said another guest at the show.

Ajab Khan talked about how he found unlimited sources of inspiration in nature and landscapes.

“Through my art, I dream of a peaceful world for everyone,” said Ajab Khan.

The exhibition will continue till December 31.

Published in Dawn December 24th , 2014