ISLAMABAD: In its quest to support and promote local artists and artisans, Satrang Gallery showcased the works by an emerging talent from Balochistan.

“Satrang Gallery is delighted to exhibit Silver Lining by Rahim Baloch whose exceptionally detailed vivid blue miniature paintings reveal layers of intricate workmanship,” the gallery’s director, Asma Rashid Khan, told guests on the opening day of the show.

The artist uses specific natural motifs, repeated symbols and colours to portray contrasting human emotions of love and solitude as well as bitter histories and intertwined narratives besides expressing sociopolitical messages of change.

“I use the colours, activities and wonders of nature to express human ideas of love, longing and desire intermixed with solitude, loneliness and nostalgia. My work revolves around being involved and lost in stance; a state of mind where words are worth nothing anymore,” Rahim Baloch told art fans visiting the exhibition.“My entire work shows a transformation in which I create something which itself is a vacuum and it converts this nothingness into something meaningful and concrete. For instance, if we look at something with concentration, we start noticing different images and patterns in it. The design merges into a filling, making an attempt to give a meaningful image to the void in which it exists,” the artist added.

He said it was very similar to when we looked at clouds and saw different forms and shapes in them.

“In a similar manner, I see all those things, which cause the emptiness and vacuum in my life. From that point onwards, this practice pacifies me and becomes a source of calm and solace. With the

realisation that I can no longer refute my feelings and emotions, I give them form, shape and a face in my work,” he added.

Rahim Baloch is a visual artist who graduated with distinction from the National College of Arts, Lahore and received the best miniature award.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2020