KARACHI: It is interesting to note — and perhaps a veritable research subject for our art historians and critics — how strongly Pakistani visual artists feel about the never ending, in certain cases mind-boggling, process of urbanisation. This is something that one does not see feature as the central idea in Pakistani novels and poetry. Even if it does, it does not come across as prominently as it should. To boot, Pakistani painters and sculptors do not take their practice for granted that results in a remarkable combination of contextual richness and technical brilliance.

A two-person show titled Unreal Estate that’s underway at the Canvas Art Gallery has 28 striking artworks on view not just for those who are drawn to creative souls but for those, too, who wish to see society revert to its serene ways.

The participating artists are Ali Raza and Samina Iqbal. Both seem to be completely in sync with each other despite the fact that their styles are markedly different. The first exhibit, actually, is a collaborative work. It’s called ‘Painting with Painting’ (acrylic on canvas) which sets the tone for what’s to follow.

As one moves around the gallery, one realises that there’s a fair degree of soulfulness to these works. One knows that soulfulness has a poetic connotation. And that’s where the show scores its highest points.

Ali’s ‘Moving Tree’ and Samina’s ‘Red Balloon’ are exceptional exhibits and just a couple of examples — there are more. They speak of time’s tyranny, not the way Shakespeare does in his sonnets; they highlight the changes that occur around us which we tend to overlook but have deep repercussions. It is in that context one is compelled to use the phrase that Ali has used in his statement: communal dysfunctionality.

Poignant stuff!

The exhibition concludes on Thursday.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2024