Nairang Gallery in Lahore continues to be an art space that promotes both well-known and new artists, in addition to providing a stimulating environment for showcasing creative craft arts, literature and music. Its most recent exhibition featured four artists from varying backgrounds and credentials, each nonetheless talented and passionate about expressing themselves through the medium of painting.

Abid Khan was perhaps the most famous in the group, having exhibited his landscapes since almost two decades now. With a Masters in English literature, his inborn talent for painting has nonetheless been his forte and passion, and he continues to bring to his work the hallmark of romanticism one associates with those involved with literary pursuits. One was always struck by the vividness of his colours and the variety of his palette, and this quality resonated in his latest work displayed at the gallery. His brush strokes seem to have become thinner and more linear over the years and there is an intensity of movement in the way each daub of colour is applied. His Impressionist style of colour application continues as before, though with more delicacy and focus as he shapes up the trees, flora and fauna in his landscapes.

The other landscape artist in this show, Arshad Maqbool, is entirely self-taught. A medical doctor by profession and the owner of a famous book shop, his passion for painting resonates in his canvases. Considerably gifted, his forte lies in the capturing of light and shade and this comes out best in those landscapes which are made ‘on the spot’ as compared to those made through photographic references. He himself admits that the difference between the first hand experience of observing the play of light and shade on colour and form, and that of copying through photographs is considerable, with the former being significantly superior.

A show that combines the talent of three landscape artists and a calligraphist captures the viewers’ imagination

Shahid Sandhu presents a different perspective of both nature and symbolic manifestations of the artist’s imagination. Sandhu has been exhibiting his work since 2003. Basically a calligraphist, his foray into abstract art brings forth an interesting medley of pattern-making. Objects from nature, including plant forms and animals are predominant in his discourse, though the human form also finds way into some of the more interesting mixed

media works. Combining assorted symbols, colours and textures, the artist has a playful style that still appears largely experimental and exploratory.

The fourth participant, Abdul Samad teaches calligraphy at the Naqsh School of Art. Trained in the classical forms of calligraphy since a very young age, Samad’s work displays a steady hand and fine aesthetic sense that confines itself to the rendering of the traditional calligraphy. The art forms, a revered medium, seemed a bit out of place amongst the group show and may have stood out more in a show dedicated to this art form. However, one does also realise that the artist could gain a wider audience through being included in such an exhibition and thus his predicament can be understood.

Nairang is not a typically commercial gallery, and indeed promotes a variety of talented individuals. However, every time one views an art exhibition here, one is struck by the thought that its shows could be more successful through better curatorial services.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, July 10th, 2016