ISLAMABAD: Sculptures created by 30 prominent sculptors from across the country are on display at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).

The exhibition titled Collective Ground was inaugurated by Syed Asif Hyder Shah, who is the climate change secretary. The opening ceremony, held on Wednesday, was visited by dignitaries, ambassadors and students from the twin cities. Each artist explored several mediums as their work showcased their individual skills.

The works were contemporary however some of the techniques that the sculptors used were traditional. Senior artists including Abbas Shah, Mansoor Zuberi and Qamar Siddiqui were present at the inauguration.

The exhibition offered exclusive access to the magical and sometimes unusual worlds of some of the most respected artists in the country such as M. Sajjad Akram, Casim Mehmood, Komal Nadeem, Maira Hashmi, Nazir Hunzai, Noor Fatima, Jabbar Gull, Akram Dost Baloch, Amin Gulgee, Anjum Ayaz, Ali Baba, Anusha Novlani, Azam Jamal, David Alesworth, Faizan Naveed, Hussain Jamil, Hassan Ali, Idrees Hanif, Imran Hunzai, Jamal Shah, Jamil Baloch, Khushi Hussain, Naiza Khan and Noor Ali Chagani.

The works of art were obtained from individual sculptors and some of the pieces put on display were from the permanent collection of the National Art Gallery.

“Some of the art works make you stop dead and observe carefully,” said a visitor to the show. Another art lover visiting the show said that each display responded to a cultural curiosity.

The organisers of the show argued that it was an incredible journey and a unique experience that offered access to a world full of artistry and poetry, whose only limit was the creative vision of their creators.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2022