ISLAMABAD: Social and class differences arising out of conflicts and discrimination meted out on the basis of cultural and ethnic identities were depicted by a French artist in his artwork.

Works by Lamyne M, amultidisciplinary artist working primarily withfabric and leather, installations, photographs and movements, went on display at the Dastaangoi gallery on Friday.

TheFrench sculptor, designer and visual artist of Cameroon origin highlighted immigrants’ issues, inequalities and discrimination. He first distinguished himself as a stylist before turning to a plastic practice.

His latest body of work titled ‘Walking step by step in Pakistan’ has been curated by Amin Gulgee and Gary Van Wyk.

“Nomadism and migration, empathy and our common humanity, are themes that are recurring in Lamyne’s work,” commentedDylan Gelard, attaché for cooperation and cultureat the French embassy.

Noted artist Amin Gulgee said Lamyne’s work was remarkable and rich in content and expression; his objects were very fascinating.

“Lamyne’s work struck me when I met him for the first time in a show in Paris.When I looked at his workI was absolutely enamoured. I enjoyed his ideas and style of work. We had a lot of conversations,” he said, adding that Lamyne had been working with master craftsmen and designers across Pakistan and Dastangoi’s residency project provided me an opportunity to curate his work.

Speaking on the occasion, the gallery’s director, Amad Mian, said: “Dastaangoi had been working on this project for six months in close coordination with the French embassy. We are excited to finally showcase it now.”

“His collaboration with curators Amin Gulgee and Gary Van Wyk is a wonderful artistic encounter between Africa, France and Pakistan,” he added.

The cosmopolitan culture of Saint-Denis - where people of diverse ethnicities, nationalities, cultures and religions coexist with harmony - has shaped Lamyne’s art.

His series on Covid-19 pandemic depicted the chaotic situation that forced the West to walk in the shoes of many others in less privileged parts of the world who found themselves virtually powerless to combat diseases and who routinely face death.

“I made these masks during my 52-day confinement in my home – one mask a day –reusing used and trash items, plastic bottles and pencils. The pandemic also exposed the developed and civilised societies’ supremacy who failed to save millions of their citizens as opposed to the developing societies in Africa, Asia and islands,” he added.

Lamyne M’s portraits echo the political conflict in France over immigrants wearing face and head coverings during the pandemic as everybody had covered up, and death did not discriminate between the immigrants and the locals.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2022