Overlooked by Sadequain’s majestic fresco on the ceiling of the art gallery in Frere Hall was a display of work that was both a lament of the devastating effects of climate change, a love letter to the earthly spirits of trees of both past and present, and a hope for the future by an aspiring grandmother.

The exhibition by Fauzia Minallah was held during the Adab Literary Festival and artworks in ‘The Lost Lullaby of Mother Earth’ were completed over a span of six years.

“When I turned 50, my greatest ambition was to become a grandmother, but not anymore,” says the artist in her statement. “Due to climate change, my sons, like many young people, have informed me they don’t want to bring children into this world. I don’t blame them. They may or may not change their minds but, in the meantime, I paint imaginary children of the future.”

Minallah has prefaced her work by attaching photos of pictorial representations of her artwork. She’s standing next to ancient banyan trees in Munich, Germany, with a sculpture titled ‘Tiny Tinfoil Spirit’ made from recycled tinfoil and polyethene bags.

The sculpture represents a woman, a female spirit of the trees, with long wavy locks. She fits perfectly into the trunk of the tree, becoming one with it. The artist’s use of recycled material is a statement of how we need to adopt sustainable practices if we are to survive as a species.

Fauzia Minallah’s new exhibition is a comment on the global climate crisis. She imagines a future that is sustainable, eco-friendly and which blooms for future children

The paintings channel this ‘spirit’ in ‘The Lost Lullaby of Mother Earth’ and are full of hope and joy. They all carry a common theme involving trees, blossoming and blooming in full, some flowers hiding adorable little cherubic babies. Upon a closer look, you notice the trunk of each tree is a person, a spirit, whole in itself, thriving in this imagined world.

Most of the works are acrylic on canvas. Minallah has also incorporated patterns in the style of aboriginal dot paintings — an ode to our ancient traditions.

“I wonder if my grandchildren will chase magical fireflies like I did in Lahore?” the artist questions. “Will they see trees full of parrots as I saw in Peshawar? Will they climb mighty banyans like I did in Rawalpindi? Will they be struck by the awe of the ancient rock carvings in Gilgit-Baltistan? How many more lullabies will we lose in the process of ‘development’? And, if it is a granddaughter, will this world be safe for her?”

Considering that the effects of climate change are being felt in devastating incidents around the world, these questions are on our mind as well.

‘The Lost Lullaby of Mother Earth’ was exhibited at the Gallerie Sadequain, Frere Hall, Karachi from November 26-27, 2022

Published in Dawn, EOS, December 18th, 2022