ISLAMABAD: Artwork by two talented artists on display at Tanzara Gallery evokes profound introspection and conveys messages of love, harmony, human connection and social justice.

Inspired by Iqbal’s Persian and Urdu poetry, the artists have embarked on a journey to unravel the intricate layers of his philosophical insights.

The exhibition, ‘Tar-e-harir-e-do rang’ (the silk twine of dual hues) showcases the exquisite collaboration of Shah Abdullah Alamee and Amna Manzoor, intertwining poetry and painting.

A diverse audience gathered at the gallery on Friday to immerse themselves in the captivating artwork.

Alamee and Amna have used Persian ink on shared canvas to create a mesmerising black-and-white composition that visually complements Iqbal’s poetic verses.

Among the standout pieces is a big painting ‘Hameh Khalq-e-Khuda-ast’ (everything is God’s creation), alongside works like ‘Shab-o-sahar’ (night and dawn), ‘rabt-o-zabt’ (connection and harmony), ‘Tan beh Tan’ (body by body), ‘Pardah’ (curtain), ‘Muhabbat’ (love), ‘Ishq-o-Khakistar’ (love and ashes), each offering a unique interpretation of Iqbal’s themes.

Noshi Qadir, the curator and owner of the gallery, describes the exhibition as a captivating exploration of Iqbal’s poetry, where Alamee and Amna have skillfully woven together a symphony of visual art that resonates with the essence of his poetry.

Each painting in this exhibition serves as a visual ode to Iqbal’s poetic legacy, capturing the fleeting moments of life’s journey and echoing his exploration of the duality of existence and the eternal quest for meaning.

Their creative harmony on canvas invites viewers to delve into the mystical realm of Iqbal’s philosophical musings, where spirituality, humanism, and existential contemplation converge, as Ms Qadir put it.

In a statement, the artists expressed their commitment to transcending mere illustration, aiming to create a unique artistic language that bridges tradition with contemporary expression. They have dared to delve deeper into Iqbal’s verses, exploring themes of social justice, self-discovery, and the evolving human identity. They have revealed and concealed layers of meaning through abstraction, fostering a continuous dialogue with Iqbal’s philosophical wellspring.

Responding to a question about the current body of work and interest in Iqbal’s poetry, Alamee said: “My interest in the works of the great poets of the eastern world is reflected in my art.”

They have transcended boundaries and given a message of empathy, love, and harmony.

“The great poets’ words are the motivation for my artworks, and while I paint my calligraphic compositions, I attempt to preserve the meaning of the words by creating works that embody the emotions and the message in their poetry.”Their approach is to delve deeper into the philosophical depths of his poetry through abstraction, creating a delicate dance of revealing and concealing layers of meaning.

Our paintings foster a continuous dialogue with Iqbal’s philosophical wellspring, exploring themes of social justice, spiritual growth, and introspection and connection, Amna said.

The exhibition, organised in collaboration with the Gurmani Centre for Languages and Literature at Lums, will run until May 18. It offers visitors a daily opportunity from 11:30am to 7pm to engage with the profound beauty and thought-provoking depth of the two artists’ creativity.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2024