KARACHI: In the last two decades or so, Karachi in particular and the country in general have seen a delightful increase both in the number of art galleries and artists whose prodigious talents now dazzle art lovers all across Pakistan — and, in some cases, the world. It is thoughtful of the VM Art Gallery that it has come up with a group show titled Emerged, which has been basically arranged in honour of the gallery’s 17-year legacy of the Emerging Talent Exhibition.

It showcases works of some of its chosen alumni to celebrate their careers since their time as Emerging Talent participants. They are: Adnan Mairaj Malik, Arsalan Nasir, Emaan Mahmud, Fahim Rao, Marium Agha, Mohsin Shaikh, Raheela Abro, S M Raza, Shanzay Subzwari and Zehra Fatima Tooba.

Now as the names suggest, the participating artists have proved their worth time and again. The most striking thing about the display is the varied styles and subjects that these creative souls deal in and touch upon, respectively. There are traditional pieces done on canvas along with installations made with great technical prowess. However, it’s the diversity and intensity of topics that the artists have selected as their works to be viewed that impresses the most.

For example, anyone who is interested in detecting the extraordinariness in ordinary, everyday life routines, there are paintings that speak of that very important aspect of 21st century urban existence. Similarly, there are artworks that celebrate life with youthful jubilation. Then on the other side of the content spectrum, certain exhibits speak of an individual’s position in society as well as those that point to the kind of developments taking place in cities which are altering nature’s course in a palpable way. Isn’t that a wide range of themes to mull over… and marvel at?

The exhibition concludes on Nov 25.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2021