LAHORE: An exhibition of paintings by celebrated artist Kaleem Khan is attracting visual art lovers in good numbers at Art Next Gallery, DHA Phase-III.

According to art critic Danyal Khan, the exhibition by landscape painter Kaleem Khan offers a captivating exploration of Quetta and its inhabitants. Khan’s focus on Quetta and its people is evident in the portraits capturing the daily life and the livestock meandering through the enchanting yet bewildering areas of Balochistan.

Mr Khan says the paintings vividly depict various seasons and the lifestyle of Quetta’s residents. Khan’s use of a colourful palette, coupled with strokes of dark grey and ochre, creates a contrasting play of light that effectively conveys the diverse moods of the city and its surrounding mountains. Each canvas, a unique portrayal, captures the distinct aura of the same place, inviting viewers to delve into the complexity of Quetta’s landscapes.

The exhibition drew the attention of many prominent artists. Prof. Saeed Akhtar, a renowned artist and educator, honoUred the event with his presence, and Qudoos Mirza, an art critic, also visited. Fellow artists, including Rm Naeem, Jamil Baloch, and Ali Kazim also added to the show’s vibrancy.

Khan’s work communicates a profound statement of compassion and self-determination, prompting viewers to observe more closely and inspiring them to either pick up a paintbrush or be entranced by the captivating views of Quetta. The artist’s dedication to capturing the essence of Quetta over the past decade is evident in every stroke, emphasising the meandering valleys and ever-changing vistas of his birthplace.

The beauty of Quetta serves as a testament to the rich landscape of Balochistan. The undiscovered yet mysterious mountain views evoke a sense of wonder. Sparse foliage among the mountains tells tales of drought-stricken states, leaving many stories yet to be uncovered.

Kaleem Khan, talking to Dawn, said “It all started when I came back to Quetta, my hometown, for my thesis in 1981, I discovered while viewing the mountains and found it alluring, as I was mesmerised by the beauty of the place with mountains surrounding it.”

Kaleem Khan said he had memories of the days when he used to observe the coal mine workers, the ambiance of mountains, the gust of wind in the valley passing through the trees. Everywhere hues of yellow and reds and the cool shadows of trees scattered all around and soon in winters the city environment transformed into a smokey grey, it’s a wonder.

He said all this rejuvenated his passion for plein air painting capturing street scenes and the change. “I spend most of the day time around Quetta city and now I feel it’s a document of my time and passion of plein air painting of the place and culture, for which I was very much admired and praised.”

Kaleem Khan says, “The place has a lot of stories and colours. For me it is difficult to paint landscape without its dwellers, my story and plein air painting including people’s domestication connects to Mehrgarh civilisation.”

The exhibition unveiled on Jan 5 will continue till 25th.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2024