ISLAMABAD: A group show of artworks dedicated to the memory of Sadequain opened at Gallery6 on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, the Dutch ambassador, Woulter Plomp, who inaugurated the show, said he did not know about Sadequain before he came to Pakistan.

“It incidentally happened when I was visiting Frier Hall in Karachi and saw huge murals. It was amazing to see the artworks of the genius,” Mr Plomp said.

Curated by veteran artist and philanthropist Dr Arjumand Faisel, the show, titledSeher e Sadequain(the Magic of Sadequain), is exhibiting works by 17 contemporary artists from Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

Talking about the artworks on display and about his first encounter with Sadequain in 1972, Dr Faisel said the contemporary artists had worked in different genres to pay their tributes to the maestro on his 35th death anniversary and each artist had presented a different aspect of the life or artworks of Sadequain.

“I am delighted to present our reverence through this incredible research-based curated exhibition,” Dr Faisel said.

Artist Ahsan Javed has painted Sadequain’s rubaiyaat (quatrains) in eraser and graphite on arches paper.

“I get drowned in the simplicity of the narration which has a deep lasting effect on me, making me think more and more; “ki jana mein kaun” (don’t know who am I),” Ahsan Javaid said.

Aun Raza’s painting ‘A Sight of Delight’ in oil depicts modernity and masculinity.

For Raza, Sadequain has been a supreme inspiration not only because of his art but for the way he has led his life.

“I have been equally moved by his romanticism of a couple’s love to the injustices in society, especially crucifixion of different classes ... and we continue to see that on an ongoing basis,” he said.

Farrukh Shahab said Sadequain’s virtuosity in different media and his varied idiom based on the wealth of sources made him the most prolific painter of Pakistan.

“For this exhibition, I tried to indulge with the technique and treatment of the Master which immersed me into his era and enhanced my enjoyment of his magical powers,” Shahab said.

Ghafar Mohiuddin’s paintingMashriq Say Ubharty Souraj Ko Zara Dekhhas ceramic hand-throne and fire glazes on terracotta.

Irfan Dahri’s painting ‘Paradise and Other Fairytales’ has been done in acrylic on canvas.

“Man has always chased the dream of a better life, be it here or hereafter, always believing that there would be a supreme reward in the end as promised,” Dahri said.

Throwing light on her work, Iram Wani said: “My prints resonate with Sadequain’s deeply rooted attachment to the reality of life, the reality that does not seek beauty in flowers and butterflies but rather is an observation, understanding and reflection of the sufferings and struggles of mankind.”

Mariam Arshad said Sadequain’s works had embedded mysteries, which were progressively being unfolded by researchers and art critics.

Mughees Riaz’s two figurative paintings in oil show human endurance and perseverance in the style of Sadequain’s crucifixion series.

Inspired by Sadequain’s lines, Munawar Ali Syed’s sculpture in metal ‘Lost in Search’ is also part of the show.

Nabeel Majeed’s inspiration from Sadequain for marble art has evolved into carving books from marble stone with traditional methods and combining it with the more modern medium of laser scoring and digital UV printing.

Nazeer Ahmed Hunzai’s work of human body parts has been done with barbed wire, fibreglass, acrylics and charcoal on plywood.

“My current work is also about the hollowness inside of us and subdued moments. I have picked different elements from Sadequain’s artworks like thorns, scratches and distortion to present it,” Nazeer said.

Rehman Zada seems inspired by Sadequain’s work about the struggle against the ruling elite.

Sajjad Akram is inspired by Sadequain’s Cactus series highlighting the socio-economic woes of people in the context of Covid-19. “The pandemic has isolated humans all over the world, just like a cactus growing in the desert,” he said.

Sujjal Kayani’s ‘Shabana’ skillfully depicts a woman’s resilience, patriarchy and femininity in the light of Sadequain’s yearning for truth, self-exploration.

Sumera Jawad is inspired by the romanticism of Sadequain, and the “hearty milieu around him”.

The show will continue through Feb 24.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2022