ISLAMABAD: The works of 38 artists, including pioneers of Pakistani art, were exhibited to mark the 11th anniversary of Gallery 6.

“When we opened in 2008 in G-9, a low income area, some people said Gallery 6 will not even survive for six months. We have continued to grow and have become the largest gallery in the capital,” said the owner of the gallery and artist in his own right, Dr Arjumand Faisel.

“We are now celebrating our 11th anniversary with our 90th exhibition,” he added.

Mr Faisel said the gallery has introduced many new artists in the twin cities, experimented with thematic exhibitions, initiated an art for social change movement and also introduced awards for upcoming artists.

He said the gallery opened an exhibition titled Art for Climate Change in December which was the first ever art show to be inaugurated by a president.

Lakson Investments Managing Partner Faisal Aftab, who opened the show, said art has become “store of value” in today’s world and appreciated the gallery’s efforts for promoting quality art in the capital city.

A Maqsood Ali painting exhibited in the show includes the abstract designs inspired by Sindhi ralli with broken forms in pink, brown and white.

A Rahim Nagori painting showed a fox made to depict a military dictator. Another masterpiece on display is that of Tassaduq Sohail which had attracted many buyers in 2015 but the artist had refused to sell it due to his emotional attachment.

The painting is now available for sale after the artists’ death last year.

Sadequian’s illustrations of his own poetry and of the works of Ghalib, Iqbal and Faiz are well known, but not many people are aware that he also illustrated poet Parto Rohilla’s book Rainn Ujyara in the mid-1970s. The exhibition has a few drawings made for the book.

A large painting by Mansur Aye is very unusual as most of his paintings were of medium or small size. However, it carries the same easy and effortless lines gracing the canvas, with colours that highlight without clashing- a hallmark of his paintings.

Ghulam Rasul’s painting of lush green fields that creates an air of freshness while Moazzam Ali’s watercolour painting from his early period depicts families that live on boats in Sindh. Landscapes by Shahla Rafi, Mughees Riaz and Matloob Baig are also included in the exhibition.

Two calligraphic masterpieces by Wasil Shahid done in gold on black show geometrical and anatomical perfection and is aesthetically appealing in their compositions.

Talking to Dawn about the history and the style of calligraphy, Mr Shahid said he has tried to depict the balance and harmony between the universe and life.

“There is a balance and harmony between the universe and life and an artist’s work is to depict this philosophy through his art and colours,” he said

The exhibition will continue till March 15, including on the weekend.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2019