KARACHI: A group show that can be viewed at the Art Chowk Gallery is interestingly titled What is a good painting? It is a teasing query, in the sense that art lovers, critics and practitioners have a general idea about what constitutes such a work of art. The adjective ‘good’ is a positive one but is not a superlative. So it may mean a painting which is aesthetically pleasing and technically sound. But is that it?

No. The show is much more than that. New works of Amber Arifeen, Asad Kamran, Faizan Riedinger, Haider Ali, Khadija S Akhtar, Marium M Habib, Marium Kamal, Maryam Arslan, Maryam Hina Hasnain, Rabia S Akhtar and Rabia Ali are on display. This implies what’s on view are the paintings that they’ve recently finished working on. In turn, it suggests they have a contemporariness to them which should be relatable. Well, to be honest, it’s relatable and extremely engaging.

Since almost a dozen creative souls are taking part in the show, it is improbable in this short space to give details of each artist’s praiseworthy achievement; therefore, one can try and validate the claim by talking about a couple of exhibits. One solid example is of ‘Rainbow Swirl’ (acrylic, enamel and oil on canvas). It’s a piece whose subject is dealt with 21st century sensibility where the colourful nature of the image is blended with the commotion that exists outside of the frame. The other is ‘The Flight Attendant’ (mixed media on canvas). The artwork is a remarkable study of, at least, two worlds that every man or woman tries to come to terms with – the world where the economy matters and the world where your own self is constantly perused – oftentimes with great adversity.

Good stuff. No, excellent stuff!

The exhibition curated by Emaan Mahmud concludes on Feb 10.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2022