ISLAMABAD: An online exhibition of artworks titled Onrushing-4 started under the aegis of Gallery 6 on Friday.

The artworks depicted diversity, skewed perspectives, self-reflection, class consciousness and human connection with nature. Works of 12 painters were displayed, all of whom had participated in the Arjumand Painting Award competition in 2017 and 2019.

Abid Aslam blended miniature with metal engraving in his painting Bird with a Golden StonewhileOn-Ride-II, a figurative work made using pen and gold leaf on wasli, giving it a 3D or 2D spin.

“The process of making intricate patterns enhances the meaning of the imagery,” said Dr Arjumand Faisel, curator of the show and director of Gallery 6.

Sana Nezam’s paintings To catch a moonbeam, and Dream of gold, done in figurative acrylic, depict harmony between human beings and nature; inspired by the bougainvillea shrub, she expresses her fascination with the changing colours of its flowers to attract insects for pollination.

“We are all like the bougainvillea, trying to turn our flaws into flowers so more people can love, admire and respect us,” she said.

Tauqir Baig through his paintings expresses the emotions of his subjects. Mr Baig, an expert in communication design and a teacher, uses bold lines and suggestive details in his portraits ‘Red turban’ and ‘Orange turban’ that compels the viewer in to confabulate and experience related moments within the artwork. Tayyeb Munawar’s work is centred around non-representational abstraction. He did his bachelors in investment banking and finance but continued pursuing his passion for fine arts.

His painting Shrine dweller — acrylic, oil and pastels — explores abstraction in portraiture.

Naqsh Raj is an abstract expressionist and recipient of several prestigious awards, including third prize in Arjumand Painting Award 2017.

“Ms Naqsh’s abstract work done in oil and ink on canvas is a union of mechanical and manual methods. Repeating a mundane technique for an imprint with human hands is the symbolism in her imagery,” the curator said.

Abdul Aziz Meer, using siah qalam and neem rang in his work, shows distorted figures as fossilised human forms. He said he sees his work as an extension of himself.

Another participant, Asghar Ali, said he paints feelings of joy, pain, anger, anxiety and depression.

Amna Manzoor’s gouche on wasli titled The new emergence - portrays how sometimes circumstances limit a person’s ability to realise his or her full potential. Flowers and thorns in her work represent pleasure and pain together while silk threads symbolise pure love which requires sacrifice.

Nadia Batool used objects like wire, wood and sandpaper on wasli. Her work, done in several mediums, shows her love for Quetta, which is her hometown.

Mohammad Sulaiman’s works In the mind, Still Life and Still not Enough are inspired by garments. “Clothes reflect a person’s social identity and status, hence there are studies of class consciousness that revolves around the creation of a self-image and the influences that shape it,” he said.

Mariam Ansari’s work is about self-reflection, a constant urge to keep finding the meaning of one’s being. She believes that a person’s core is like the soil that provides nourishment through life.

Imran Haider, in his paintings explores the relationship of man made things with the environment.

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2020