LAHORE: American Consul General in Lahore Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau says Pakistan has great tradition in art and it is an extraordinary opportunity to see such a rich exhibition of artworks.

Ms Trudeau stated this during a visit to a group exhibition of artworks titled Ijtima by 10 artists at Alhamra Art Centre, The Mall, on Wednesday.

She also visited another exhibition titled ‘Evolution of Art’ by Dr Sohpiya Umar at the same venue but in another gallery.

The exhibition Ijtima was inaugurated by National College of Arts former principal Naazish Ataullah.

Talking to Dawn, she said the exhibition had been curated by Sundas Azfar. “It is good that young curators are now being seen curating exhibitions.” She said the exhibition, which had artworks of both national and international artists, featured a variety of works.

“There is a lot of optimism about the works on display here. It is encouraging to see that Lahore Arts Council is supporting such exhibitions,” Ms Ataullah said.

The works at Ijtima by artists Huma Mulji, Hurmatul Ain, Mehr Javed, Sara Mumtaz, Mary Mazziotti, Latifa Attai, Gopa Trivedi, Sakina Akbar, Mamoona Riaz and Abdul Moeez had depicted gender in white context through their own perspectives. The exhibition was a well-attended event as a number of students, faculty from NCA and Punjab University’s College of Art and Design came in good numbers. The exhibition will continue till Sept 9.

‘Evolution of Art’ by Dr Sohpia Umar, an assistant professor of fine arts from Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, opened at one of Alhamra’s galleries.

The event was inaugurated by Lahore Arts Council Executive Director Atta Muhammad Khan.

The elements of space played a significant role in Dr Sohpiya’s paintings. Her use of cool serene colours in the sky were emphasised by the butterflies, jets, planes, planets and balloons. The variety of skies and clouds painted by her had an ethereal effect. The exhibition will remain on display till Sept 8.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2017