ISLAMABAD: A group exhibition featuring the work of four artists and bold commentary on contemporary issues opened at the Nomad Gallery on Saturday.

The show, titled Debate and Conservation, features the work of Samina Ali Akhter, Syed Faraz Ali, Mahvish Noman and Shahzad Zar. The exhibited pieces depicted social, political and spiritual conflicts and narratives in order to engage society in dialogue.

“How does this urgency translate visually? Without a prevailing ethos, a strange harmony is realised in which the seemingly contradictory elements coexist,” commented Nageen Hyat, the curator and director of the gallery.

“This is for the viewer to decipher an impressive body of works created by a generation of artists from various backgrounds questioning local and global issues in a mature repertoire,” she went on.

Samina Ali Akhtar’s seven large paintings done in acrylic, collage and mixed media with monoprint in striking colours and images in blurs of burnt umber, green distinguished by rich gold and intense blue reflect historical South Asian scenes through abstracts and impressionistic visuals.

History has been a reference point for me as I have been teaching the subject for quite some time which resonates in my thought process and is reflected in my work, Ms Akhtar said,

A pioneer in miniature painting in monoprints, Ms Akhtar has been teaching history, traditions and methods of miniature painting -- frescos, inlay and wood carvings -- of the Mughals and the postcolonial British period, at the National College of Arts and Punjab University’s Department of Fine Arts.

“At times I feel things have become static and now is the time for departure; that’s why I explore new ideas and work in mix media and collage to balance it out.”

Monoprints with calligraphy in gold and silver are essential elements of my work and decayed leaves in brown and black colours symbolise the decline in the Mughal era after reaching its zenith, she said.

Ms Akhtar who also painted Faiz’s poetry in calligraphy, said “the great poet’s poetry has always fascinated me.”

Faiz sahib’s poetry is the voice of the voiceless and common people and will always remain relevant, she said.

Meanwhile, Syed Faraz Ali’s powerful symbolic political imagery compels a viewer to engage in conversation with his work.

The award-winning artist’s work is a combination of innate insanity and common sense.

The imageries and black flowers very aptly depict the tunnel vision, extremism and monolithic approach of the state and society towards minorities and the denial of diversity.

“I have entirely avoided anything, however muted or far removed the people who belong to observation or anecdote. Rather giving way to despair, I choose active melancholy and have been reasonably attentive to the fascination of my people in timeless inscrutability,” Mr Ali said.

A graduate of the Karachi’s Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, Mr Ali has participated in many group and solo shows in Pakistan and abroad.

Mahvish Noman creates dreamy references in her art using mix media “Fine arts is my passion and playing piano my hobby. I believe with conviction that we all are born artist with different genres,” she stated in her statement.

Shahzad Zar’s five pieces on display are done in acrylic on paper. He has used spiritual elements, such as domes and minarets, in a modern, colourful ambiance.

A self-taught young artist struggling to teach himself the art of collage, mixing organic materials and painting, he was guided by the legendary artist and intellectual Syed Ali Imam, who saw spark in Mr Zar’s work and his determination to be an artist.

The show will continue until Sept 18.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2019