RAWALPINDI: A four-day photography, painting and calligraphy exhibition featuring the works of retired police officer and Pride of Performance winning artist Aftab Ahmed kicked off at the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) on Wednesday.

Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Cabinet Division Raja Javed Ikhlas inaugurated the exhibition and the opening ceremony was attended by a large number of art lovers from twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

More than 150 art pieces were displayed on the walls of the gallery, including photographs featuring scenes from across the country, intricate calligraphic work and vibrant oil on canvas paintings.

The artist provides a window into the geographical and cultural landscape of Pakistan and his works take one on a journey which spans the length and breadth of the country, from Khyber to Karachi and Balochistan and Kashmir. He also depicts how people live in urban and rural areas.

Aftab Ahmed Khan, who is 85-years-old says he worked as a police officer for years but photography was his first love. He is a senior multi-dimensional artist of international fame and has a number of national and international awards to his credit in calligraphy, ceramics, metal work, photography, painting and books.

In addition to the photographs, in this solo show some 20 unique works of calligraphy in the ‘Khat-e-Nastaleaque’ and ‘Kufi’ style are also on display. Advanced in both years and technique, the artist has not stopped experimenting.

The featured works are made on paper, gold leaf, canvas, leather, ceramics and glass. Each material is used by him in a unique manner and with as much expertise as the other.

“There were some letters that the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) wrote to heads of the states and I tried to reproduce these letters in my paintings. Since some of them tore the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) letters, I depicted them as torn,” Aftab Ahmed Khan told Dawn.

“I have been working for last 60 years and there are still more things which I want to do. Photography is my childhood passion and but now I am also comfortable with calligraphy,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Raja Javed Ikhlas said Aftab Ahmed Khan is pride of Pakistan and such kind of genius personalities inscribed their name in history in their lives.

“His work is very impressive who has depicted the beautiful Pakistan through this exhibition,” he said.

RAC Resident Director Waqar Ahmed said that it was great honour for the Council to organise the exhibition of such a great artist. He said that the students were especially invited to learn more from the artist and they would question about the different techniques in calligraphy, photography and painting.

The exhibition will remain open till August 15.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2015

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