PESHAWAR: Young and senior artists exhibited their works at the University of Peshawar here.

The three-day exhibition ended on Friday with a celebration of the World Artist Day.

It was organised by the students of the university’s arts and design department to honour and recognise the artists produced by the province’s oldest varsity.

Around 110 art pieces were displayed including paintings, textile products, photographs and documentaries made by young artists.

Also on display was the artwork of old teachers, alumni and students of the art and design department.

The event held in a quiet corner of the university attracted art lovers of all ages.

Quratul Ain, a lecturer of the art and design department, also displayed her two paintings.

“We are celebrating the World Artist Day to show that this province is rich of artists, who are full of life, see beauty in every form, and know the art of showing it though colours,” she said.

The artists, who were produced by the art and design department since its creation in 1986 and whose works were displayed, included Rafique Hussain, Tayyaba Aziz, Ali Sajid, Naveed Khan, Naveed Shabbir, Ali Saif, Abdur Rehman, Farah Javed, Zermina Mehsood, Nasir rauf, Imran Khan, Younas Masood, Nasir Khattak, Rashid Jadoon and Anwar Khan.

Farisha, a student of the economics department, said the art pieces exhibited gave a fresh and peaceful feeling about the region and its people.

She said green meadows, village life and people working as shown in paintings showed a beautiful and peaceful land and its people.

Najiullah, one of the organisers and final-year student of the art and design department, said the entire department seemed alive as everyone was celebrating art and artists produced by the department since its establishment decades ago.

He said the works of senior artists including the late Rafique Hussain and others were also displayed.

“We have tried to show different forms of arts not only to exhibit works but also to honour and celebrate it,” he said.

Mr Najiullah said people needed artists in society as an artist guides the people and develop and change society.

He said the role of artists was vital to bring about a change in society, so artists should be encouraged to show their art.

Ayesha Khan, a student at the department, said she was amazed by the works of artists that the department had produced.

She said the art produced and displayed at the exhibition was priceless but she felt a bit sad that somehow the art was not valued in society.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2019