ISLAMABAD: Celebrating art and community, Gallery 6 has hosted its 11th annual Art Bazaar, a much anticipated event among art lovers, from Friday.

The event will provide visitors the unique opportunity to acquire original artworks at substantial discounts. Since its inception in 2011, the event has grown in popularity, drawing both seasoned and emerging artists from across Pakistan.

The preview of the event revealed a diverse collection of artworks spanning various genres, including abstract, realism, impressionism, and expressionism. Featured pieces included landscapes, cityscapes, still life, cultural depictions, and non-representational art. Artists have employed various mediums such as oil, acrylic, watercolor, charcoal, and chemicals, each bringing unique tones and effects.

Highlights include Rizwan Ahmed’s mixed-media calligraphies, Wasil Shahid’s gold-gilded calligraphies.The meticulous design of Quranic verses and the use of negative spaces in these works evoked a sense of serenity. Shiblee Munir’s Mashq series also promised to draw interest. Notable contributions come from Riaz Rafi and Mazher Qureshi added intrigue and Javed Qamar uniquely blended city architecture with calligraphic forms. Amir Kamal’s depictions of dancing dervishes with calligraphic inscriptions further enhanced the collection. Ahmed Ejaz, Shahid Rana, and Rafiqullah also presented noteworthy calligraphy pieces.

Artists Zulfiqar Zulfi, Salman Farooqi, Abid Khan, Tahir Bilal Ummi, Maria Danial, Qasim Ali Sagar, Fareeha Shahid, Mazher Qureshi, Arif Ansari, and Sadia Ansari offered distinct interpretations of natural scenes. Abid Khan’s strokes created Monet-esque scenes, while Tahir Bilal’s serene landscapes stood out. GN Qazi and Amna Waqas drew viewers with their surrealistic styles, and Sarfaraz Musawir’s cityscapes of Lahore and the Cholistan desert promised to captivate attendees.

Figurative works by artists such as Hajra Mansoor, Akram Dost, Mobina Zuberi, AS Rind, Nisar Ahmed, and Ather Jamal bring human forms and emotions to life. Mansoor Rahi’s discounted paintings were anticipated to be a major attraction. Spiritual and Rumi-inspired paintings by Sadaf Farasat, Shafique Farooqi, Amir Kamal, and Khusro Sabzwari also stand out, along with Akram Spaul’s super-realism pieces.

Abstract artworks by Abid Hasan, Riaz Rafi, Nahida Raza, Kanwal Zafar, Abdur Rahman, Arjumand Faisel, and Samina Arjumand add a vibrant touch to the exhibition. Abid Hasan’s bright, vivid paintings with unique textures were particularly striking.

The event also featured large miniature artworks by Safwan Bashir. Smaller works by Usman Alvi, Syed Irfan, Amjad Ali Talpur, and Farah Anwar, along with varied prints including those of Sadequain, added diversity. Sculptures by Shakil Ismail, Ghaffar Mohiuddin, and Samina Arjumand enriched the exhibit.

Rising artists in Pakistan’s art scene, such as Ammama Malik, Quratulain Dar, Imran Mughal, Sadia Rathore, Jawad Ahmad Jan, Mohsin Ur Rahman, Mariam Arshad, Maryam Ahsan, Nabiha Gilani, Sabahat Nisar, Salar Marri, Usman Khalid, Zafar Iqbal, Adnan Khan, Imran Gul, Imran Baloch, Saba Zahid, Habib Akram, Ubaida Ghazanfar, and others, brought fresh perspectives and innovative techniques to the event. Notably, four striking paintings by Asif Hussain featured intriguing imagery.

Dr Arjumand Faisel, curator of Gallery 6, commented, “We started the Art Bazaar to celebrate our anniversary, sharing our happiness with art lovers by offering artworks at discounted prices. This genuine and substantial discount provides an opportunity for buyers to select a few pieces from our large stock. Our clients eagerly await this event, as no other gallery in Pakistan offers such an opportunity.”

The three-day Art Bazaar promises to be a vibrant celebration of art, attracting enthusiasts not only from Pakistan but around the world, he said.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2024