In Quddus Mirza’s artistic expression, the dichotomy of life and death converges into a harmonious dance, resonating through his exhibition aptly titled ‘Doubts, Dreams, Desires’ at Canvas Gallery, Karachi.

Mirza, through his captivating masterpieces, crafts a visual ode to the profound human experience, blending the celebration of life with the poignant acknowledgment of mortality. As the artist himself asserts, “My art is a form of celebrating life and a means to mourn death,” — a sentiment that permeates every canvas in his latest evocative collection.

The entrance to Mirza’s artistic world at Canvas is marked by a verse that sets the tone for the ethereal journey ahead: “In the dance of doubts, dreams awaken, desires fade — a symphony of existence unfolds.”

This poetic prelude encapsulates the thematic triad encapsulated within the exhibition title and, as the viewer is immersed in Mirza’s visual narrative, it becomes apparent that each canvas is a note in this symphony, illustrating the complex interplay of doubts, dreams and desires.

Fears and hopes converged to startling effect in Quddus Mirza’s latest exhibition

Mirza’s choice of child-like drawings as the visual language for this exploration adds a layer of innocence and raw authenticity to the narrative. The paintings, seemingly simple at first glance, reveal a depth that resonates with the spontaneity and unfiltered emotions associated with childhood. Artists throughout history have sought inspiration from the unadulterated creativity of children, and Mirza, with his whimsical strokes and vibrant palette, pays homage to this tradition.

Paul Klee, a pioneer in abstract art, once remarked, “A line is a dot that went for a walk.” This statement captures the essence of the simplicity and playfulness that echoes in Mirza’s compositions, like in A Family Photograph. Similarly, his surrealist leanings speak of the importance of retaining the child’s vision in art — a sentiment that explores life’s dualities.

As the viewer navigates the exhibition, encountering Mirza’s whimsical characters and dreamlike landscapes, it becomes evident that the child-like quality of the paintings is not a mere stylistic choice but a deliberate narrative device.

In his piece Centre of the World, he uses loud and sharp colours to depict violence perceived by a child, with the knives painted in dispersed red, a photograph of a blast, and maps and scattered images showcasing how disturbed a child’s memory could become due to a violent event that becomes a foundational memory.

In embracing the innocence of childhood, Mirza invites us to reconnect with the unfiltered emotions of joy and wonder and, inevitably, the shadow of mortality that looms over life’s vibrant tapestry. Under the Blazing Sky appears to capture the intensity of the conflict in Gaza, possibly portraying a scene where the sky is filled with the harsh glow of conflict. The use of vibrant colours and dramatic lighting conveys a tumultuous atmosphere, aiming to evoke emotions and shed light on the human suffering in the region.

Similarly, The Red Landscape could be a symbolic representation of the violence in Gaza, with the colour red conveying a sense of urgency, danger and bloodshed. The landscape may be distorted or altered to emphasise the impact of the conflict on the environment and its people, providing a powerful visual commentary on the harsh realities of war.

‘Doubts, Dreams, Desires’ serves as a testament to the cyclical nature of existence. Doubts, portrayed as tentative lines, give birth to dreams that, in turn, nurture desires. Mirza’s canvases capture this perpetual dance, offering viewers a glimpse into the fragility and beauty of our shared human experience.

In the finale of Mirza’s visual symphony, the viewer is left with a lingering appreciation for the ephemeral nature of life, underscored by the artist’s dual purpose: a celebration of the vivacity that defines our existence and a poignant mourning of its inevitable conclusion.

In the delicate strokes of Mirza, life and death find an unexpected unity, leaving the audience with a profound and introspective resonance long after the curtain falls on ‘Doubts, Dreams, Desires.’

‘Doubts, Dreams, Desires’ was on display at Canvas Gallery, Karachi from December 12-21, 2023

The writer is a Karachi-based journalist who writes about art and entertainment. She is also a media coordinator for the International Watercolour Society

Published in Dawn, EOS, January 14th, 2024