ISLAMABAD: An exhibition highlighting the importance of preserving depleting eco-systems titled Borrowed Feathers opened at Satrang gallery on Saturday.

The essence of the works, created by Imran Hunzai and Nizakat Ali Depar is how damaging human behaviour has been for the environment over the years and still is as people continue to encroach into the natural world.

Mr Hunzai modelled and weaved industrial wire into recognisable forms of animals known for their magnificence such as a wolf, a horse and a bull; his work enhances the grandeur of these species.

The wire sculptures were 3D versions of the line, which was the foundation of every sculpture.

Hunzai - a visual artist, poet, and instrumentalist - graduated from National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore (2003-2006).

Associated with two prestigious universities NCA and National University of Sciences and Technology (Nust), he has been practicing art using a variety of mediums.

Mr Hunzai has exhibited works in 60 group shows, six solo exhibitions and attended four residencies, nationally and internationally. He is also the winner of Public Choice Award Karachi Biennale 2019.

Nature in its entirety is interconnected and interdependent, the artist told his guests, adding, “I choose wire, an industrial material traditionally used in the construction industry. I have tried to transform this inorganic material into organic forms. The knitted details of wire and thousands of knots may justify my love and respect for wildlife in particular and nature in general. The process is of constant dialogue with my work which involves self-actualisation and exploration.”

Nizakat Ali Depar explored the concept of anthropomorphism through his paintings – his work highlights signature human qualities, which were frequently assigned to certain animals.

Mr Depar, originally from Larkana (Sindh) graduated from NCA in 2009, with a BFA in miniature painting. He currently lives and teaches in Jamshoro at the Centre of Excellence in Art and Design. A celebrated miniaturist, he has exhibited widely.

He considers his recent body of work conventional, both in terms of context and imagery. “It is convenient because I paint society as I see it. I am narrating the social, political and religious behaviours of humans, who became the leaders and the dogma of society, through using the animals’ images. Imagery became symbolic in my work, with my observation and experiences, shuffling the skins, scrawny animals wearing powerful animal’s covering and powerful animals wearing weak animal’s casing and personas. There is also hilarity and humour in the visuals I have made in my paintings. I tried to make the context of my work stretchy and universal so that every person can also relate with their imagination and experiences, being a part of the society and the world,” he said.

Some of his paintings show coats of animals switched with another, symbolising disguises used by human beings and the instability of their behaviour. According to the director and curator of the show Asma Rashid Khan, the works are an important reminder of the sacredness of all life and the dire need to protect it.

The exhibition will run for a month.

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2021