ISLAMABAD: In an unusual move for an art gallery in the capital, Satrang at Serena inaugurated its August show of four young artists without an ambassador to cut a ribbon.

The works on display were unusual, dynamic and clearly part of the artistic journey the more successful artists take.

Called ‘In Plain Sight’, the group show featured the works of Sanie Shoaib Bokhari, Sidra Asim, Zahra Asim and Zoha Khan.

Asma Khan, the director of the gallery, said: “For this show we are delighted to show the works of four women painters. These artists highlight corners and aspects of everyday life which are often overlooked and ignored but are remarkably recognisable and familiar.”

Zahra Khan, the show’s curator, explained: “These artists play with their audience’s sensibilities and memories and this exhibition strives to awaken the nostalgic observer in the viewer.”

She added, “These four painters are motivated by factors ranging from an active interest in their surroundings to the modern world’s inability to survive without these innocuous objects. Their work is both critical appreciation and active observation of daily life.”

Sanie Bokhari uses almost transparent, ethereal organza and acrylic glass over photographs to create an unexpected depth to her pieces. Her oils are three dimensional and she explores her subjects through a variety of mediums and approaches, including wood, mirrors, cloth, photographs and glass.

She said: “I synthesize my surroundings into my art work by selecting chunks of architecture which portray domestic life as an inherent part of identity. I exist amidst these things; my world is comprised of the seemingly mundane reimagined into a new, more dynamic form.”

Sidra Asim’s work seems to be idiosyncratic – she takes seemingly routine situations and objects and highlights quirks that a less observant eye would miss completely.

She said: “My work is therapeutic in that it is a response to people around me. Their presence, behaviour and impressions are transformed into painterly experiences. I observe the situation around me and fragments of reality, some madness and peculiarities inspire me to create my own realities in the form of painted stage sets.”

Zahra Asim creates tiny paintings almost like close up photographs of small objects and when the trend is to paint large canvases, her scale makes for an interesting change of pace.

She said: “I have an extraordinary memory and I have spent my entire life in congested environments so my paintings are mini snapshots of ordinary scenes containing ordinary objects strewn about in ordinary settings. I chose to work on a small scale in intricate detail.”

Zoha Khan’s focus is on inanimate objects that are pivotally important in society today as both status symbols and as mechanical tools for survival.

She said: “In this world of technological advancement, we invest in mechanical and digital objects to create comforts which we can no longer live without, so much so that we don’t own these commodities, they start owning us. Our dependence on them creates a relationship whose presence outweighs the value of social and human worth.”

Shahmeen Arshad said: “The show clearly highlights the importance that everyday items have taken on. It develops the significance attached to them by bringing out the emotions associated with these objects.”

Mamoona Riaz said: “Satrang has once again brought brilliant young artists to the fore as these young women are showing in Islamabad for the first time. The thrust of this exhibition is very emotional as the ordinary becomes the extraordinary.”

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2015

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