ISLAMABAD: A solo show of exquisite paintings by Karachi-based painter, Shazly Khan, opened at Nomad Gallery, highlighting the strength of femininity, inner peace and the importance of family bonds.

Swiss embassy’s deputy head of mission Bernhard Furger inaugurated the show titled Finding My Inner Peace and Beauty in place of his ambassador, Thomas Kolly, who was preoccupied with his official commitments.

The diplomat appreciated the work of the artist and said his embassy gave importance to the promotion of art.

Ms Shazly’s paintings narrate the story of real-life events and subconscious desires with a soothing feeling.

She experiments with many techniques, preferring acrylic but occasionally using oil creating textures, etching and scraping colours with bold lines and spontaneous strokes.

In one of her paintings, ‘Family…Fabric of Life’, she has skillfully depicted the care and feeling of protection a woman gives to her children.

In another painting, she has painted a woman as a ‘tree’ which not only provides shelter and embraces her children but also the whole world through elongated and embracing hands.

“Shazly’s paintings transport a viewer deep into the innermost world of a woman and connects to the subconscious world,” commented Nageen Hyat, the curator and director of the Nomad Gallery.

The cup of tea metaphorically shows her warmth, love and intimacy for family and friends, Ms Hyat said.

Shazly Khan has skillfully used vibrant colours and bold strokes in acrylic in a whimsical manner showing the importance of family life and social bonding in ‘Sisters and Friends Forever’, ‘Family Fabric of Life’ and ‘Finding My Inner Peace and Beauty’.

The artist has not just highlighted the fast vanishing social values, family traditions and free moments to enjoy, she also endears and upholds these values practically.

Wherever she travels, whether abroad or in Pakistan, her parents and family accompany her.

This was evident from the fact that her parents, husband and three children were present at the show who travelled all the way from Karachi to Islamabad.

Speaking to Dawn about her journey and art, Shazly Khan said: “My favourite paintings are the ones in which one is having a cup of tea alone or with family or friends, oblivious to everything, home, work, city, and people.”

We always try to remain closer to the family; we travel together and enjoy every moment of life together, she added.

Speaking about her signature theme ‘Special Celebration of Tea’, Ms Shazly said social media had destroyed family bonds and values.

“Tea time is the most cherished moment to get rid of all tensions and spend time with family and friends. I celebrate precious moments with friends and family creating a balance for myself and my family,” she added.

My work aims to promote love, peace and harmony, and positivity which is the need of the time to cope with rising extremism, racism and chaotic problems, she said.

The paintings also show the space a woman needs for herself as she has depicted in one of her paintings in which a woman has tea oblivious to the turbulence in society.

About the theme of femininity, she said: “I have highlighted the importance of femininity but disapprove liberal feminism.”

Ms Shazly has depicted her journey in ‘Epic of a Woman’ from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where she was born, to Karachi depicting a woman’s development from infant to senile.

For Shazly, women and children acquire a special place and in Asia women do not get a proper opportunity to celebrate their womanhood in the true spirit.

She did her masters in sketching and painting from Algiers. Her first solo exhibition was held in 2002 at the prestigious Ali Imam’s Gallery in Karachi.

She travelled around the world with her father, a well-known urban planner and art lover, to historic cities, like Paris, Rome, Tunis and Cairo as well as art galleries which made her aesthetic sense and artistic journey rich.

She has held numerous solo exhibitions in Pakistan and internationally, taking part in some group shows, held art workshops with street children as well as impaired and marginalised children.

In 2015, the UN selected her paintings for Milan Expo, in which only 60 works of art were short-listed from among the 1,000 submissions of more than 200 artists from 66 different countries.

The show will remain open till January 30.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2020