ISLAMABAD: The wonder of rock carvings is such that they withstand the storms of time, telling stories of the distant past, even after a thousand years. I cannot imagine how my markings on stones will be perceived.

Award-winning artist and activist Fauzia Minallah said this while talking to Dawn about her latest body of work that includes 18 slab engravings with images of women, flower patterns and calligraphy depicting verses from the poems of Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Fehmida Riaz and Kishwar Naheed, violence against women and environmental degradation.

Amid the tense political atmosphere in the capital city, a select gathering of art and nature lovers, under an old banyan tree in a secluded corner of the F-9 Park, was immersed in viewing Ms Minallah’s work. The tree has been saved along with other indigenous trees as a natural monument by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Capital Citizens Committee near Flying Club.

Dr Fauzia Saeed, former director general of Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), opened the show titled Her Stories on Stone.

The artist recalled fond memories from Hazara, Peshawar, Gilgit, Mohenjodaro, Quetta, Lahore and Swat where she lived and spent most of her childhood. The rich and diverse heritage and natural monuments of these valleys, she said, is ingrained in her memories, shaped her life and inspired her work.

“It is a celebration of my childhood memories of playing in the ancient slate cemeteries of the Gangar Hills of Hazara, the rock carvings in Gilgit, and the Gandhara art at the Peshawar museum.

“For almost six months, I have been busy drilling holes in slabs of stone. Initially, I draw lines with chalk and compose the final image of thousands of dots with a drill. I am in love with dots. I have no time for networking or parties. It is hard physical labour but the whole creative process is worth it,” Ms Minallah said.

Fauzia is one of the few artists who has not only felt the impact of climate change and urban expansion on nature but has also organised protests for the protection of old trees as natural monuments of the capital.

“Displaying my work under an ancient tree is also a celebration of protecting the wonderful art of mother nature,” she said, adding that, “A tree is like a mother who gives birth, nurtures and protects her child from predators. The beauty of the tree is that it has aerial roots that grow back into the earth and over centuries become trunks. Both are facing brutality and catastrophe.”

She uses mixed media but derives inspiration from ancient Gandhara art found on slate tombs in the cemeteries of her home town Sirikot near Haripur.

Dr Saeed, admiring the artist’s work, devotion and activism, said: “Fauzia’s works have always inspired me. She is a down to earth artist and activist. Her social consciousness and sensitivity are her distinctive qualities deeply rooted in the soil. These qualities reflect in her work.”

Human rights defender Tahira Abdullah recited Kishwar Naheed’s famous poem Hum Gunehgar Aurtain (we the sinful women).

Through this new work, the artist aims to build a bridge between art and social movements working outside of the commercial gallery system with underprivileged classes and children by setting up Funkor Child Art Centre and promoting harmony and peace.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2022