LAHORE: An innovative group show of artworks titled, ‘Echoes of Silent Mind’ by 17 artists opened at Ejaz Gallery on the MM Alam Road here on Wednesday.

The show, curated by Noor Fatima, brings together a powerful collection of sculptures, reliefs and paintings by 17 artists from Pakistan and the UAE.

The exhibition focuses on artists’ unique perspectives of individuality, society, and its role in shaping human personality and thinking. The exhibition offers a partial glimpse, rather than a sweeping overview, of many complex issues. Each artist has explored this series of work with various materials.

It puts on display an array of mediums including, stone, wood, terracotta, metal, mesh and many more.

The curator, Ms Fatima, throwing light on the works on display said, “The works explored parallel processes of rejuvenation in human life. The exhibition aimed to explore this practice in reversal, in hope of examining the relationship between different forms of artistic expression. The works provide a comprehension of an individual’s thoughts, and are powerful enough to make their viewer question the concept of being alive, its meaning and the intricate process of transformation of life while living in a specific society.”

Artist Arsalan Khan’s work in the form of dried apricot, represented all the people who died in bomb blasts from 2004-2014. Casim Mahmood, a self-taught sculptor, used a unique style through welded iron on a canvas. The series brings into focus the many faces we pass by on the street every day without having the courage to notice them.

Hina Tabassum explores the way a person’s environment affects and impacts his/her being. She used the technique and form of rusting metal as a metaphor to draw attention to the corrosive effects of violence in children’s surroundings. Hussain Jamil explores the idea of excitement and awe one feels while looking into mirror at the start of day.

To Imran Hunzai’s work is a visual representation of all the thoughts where he was attempting to recycle the subject and object. Jamil Baloch always tries to work with issues which concern humankind. He explores diverse media, and a variety of themes.

To Karimie Hunzai a human presents the view of a single gender’s self-glorified existence as the centre of the world throughout time -- in mythology, language, tradition, belief, art, modern philosophy and postmodernism.

Komal Nadeem’s objective behind the composition is to create a dialogue and connect at an emotional level. Muhammad Ali‘s concept of artwork is based on the first impression, less complicated, fantasy, desire and difference.

Nazir Hunzai’s recent sculptures are all about morphing a human into basic shapes, which usually is in a contrast of fluid curves, straight lines and sharp edges.

Suleman Faisal tries to investigate the latent aggression present within humans and objects through his multidisciplinary artworks.

Shabbir Mir’s exploration is based on letters. Sanabil Hassan’s work mainly focuses on observation and reflection. Sidra Saleem’s work contains the freedom to overcome the seriousness of her surroundings.

Yumna’s idea behind her work is to examine the connection between objects, symbols and history of the subject.

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2022