ISLAMABAD: A wide variety of paintings, drawings, prints, carvings, calligraphies and sculptures will go on display at the seventh annual art bazaar at Gallery 6 on Saturday.

These include the works of both renowned, well established artists as well as emerging talent from all four provinces.

They include works in impressionism and expressionism, abstracts and realist pieces and deal with personal, social, cultural and political issues and are made with water colours, oils, acrylics, pastels, pen and ink.

The curator of the show, Dr Faisal Arjumand said the realistic paintings explore the themes and routine of life.

He said they portray the lives and surroundings of the middle and lower classes, of ordinary people. They pay attention to accuracy of detail and colour.

Some of the more noteworthy paintings in this category are two of Moazzam Ali’s of 1991 and the recent works of Akram Spaul, Ather Jamal and Aqeel Jawaid Teetu.

My Bookshelf, Cycle at the Door, The Paints and many others stand out at the exhibition.

Among figurative works, an attractive painting of Rind of 2005 will likely draw attention, as his painting style has changed significantly from that period and any work of that period is rarely available in the market.

Two pieces by Ustad Aziz Mirza who follows Chughtai are also included, which would surprise many visitors.

Use of grout- a material used in construction- as a medium of painting is also likely to be a major attraction besides his usual transparent acrylic on paper treatments.

Visitors will also be fascinated by the portraits of Balochi women and men by Doda Baloch, a new addition in the art world from the famous Akram Dost family of Balochistan.

Landscapes and cityscapes present captivating scenes in realistic, impressionistic and surrealistic form depicting varying technique, treatment and styles of different leading and a few new artists.

All have their own grandeur but some small water colour landscapes are equally eye catching in their simplicity.

Abstract paintings are both small and large scale compositions, done with acrylics, oils, water colours, or effects of chemicals on gold and silver leaf. These compositions have interesting surfaces and textures.

They are vibrant and aesthetically pleasing, demonstrating the attempt of pulsating spirit in revealing itself.

It is fascinating that the bazaar also has two abstract oil-on-paper paintings by Maqsood Ali – an important name in the art world from the 1970s.

Calligraphy pieces by eight artists are included in the show. The works of Javed Qamar and Ahmed Ejaz stand out.

Both artists strikingly differ in their treatment and styles but the commonality is that their compositions are bright, colourful and eye-catching.

In contrast, the calligraphy by Asad Raza and Akram Spaul are subtle and follow the anatomical principles of the art.

There are also a few miniature paintings which include traditional and contemporary styles.

There are several prints as well of varied nature and sizes and dealing with interesting topics.

The bazaar includes sculpture in clay and wood with sizes ranging from that of a small table to several feet high.

The bazaar will continue for two days.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2018