KARACHI: Political turmoil does not allow citizens to have prolonged moments of respite. It can have a terribly negative effect on our collective national growth, especially the growth of children. Thankfully, one of the things that have flourished in a healthy way in recent times in our country is the love of fine art.

These days, a big number of kids are studying the art of drawing, sculpting and painting not just in regular schools but at institutes designed to impart art education.

An exhibition titled Cactus Gardens that’s under way at the Full Circle Gallery is a testimony to the claim.

Works of more than two dozen students of the Canvas Courtyard between the ages of seven and 14 are on display.

It is a remarkable sight because what the viewer sees is budding talent at its best. The name of the show is Cactus Gardens, which is not an easy theme to handle for adults leave alone the little ones. To boot, the colours they have used, the lines they have drawn and the subjects they have touched upon following the theme merit praise and commendation for the young artists.

Cactus, as we all know, is a rich and multilayered metaphor. Arguably, our greatest artist Sadequain has employed it to the hilt. Multiple interpretations can be attached to it, the first of which is that the cactus withstands the harshest of environment. While on the outside it comes across as tough and thorny, on the inside it’s not. But since children are involved in creating art here, the word ‘gardens’ in the title softens the scene up and conjures a colourful ambience.

As a result, the viewer enjoys remarkable acrylic-on-canvas exhibits such as ‘Lava Falls’, ‘Candy Cacti’, ‘Ice Cream Wonderland’, ‘Water Tree’ and some untitled pieces.

If you want to know the names of the extremely promising painters, visit the gallery.

The exhibition, curated by Ayesha Sheriff, concludes on June 3.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2022