ISLAMABAD: A group exhibition featuring a constellation of creativity opened at Gallery 6 on Friday. Titled ‘9 in the Orion’, the show draws inspiration from Orion, one of the most iconic constellations in the winter night sky.

The show features diverse and evocative artworks by Babur Mughal, Bazil Habib, Fizza Hussain, Ubaid Tariq, Tehseen Khan, Samiya Mahir Sheikh, Bakhtawar Naqvi, Rabia Riaz and Vaneeza Javed, each bringing a unique perspective to themes that intertwine with identity, memory and introspection.

“These artists explore a rich tapestry of themes and subjects, offering viewers a celestial exploration of art and emotion,” Dr Arjumand Faisel, the curator, toldDawn.

Executive Officer of Gallery 6 Tayyab Khurshid stated: “We are thrilled to begin the year with this celebration bringing together these noteworthy artists as part of our artistic Orion.”

Babur Mughal’s creative process is an emotional performance. Beginning with a simple central object — a sketch of a figure, building or vehicle — he intuitively constructs a whole world around it.

His figurative painting ‘Crown’ features a crow adorned with a crown, while his ‘Xenogamy series’ portrays a singer with a guitar in oil on board.

These works exemplify his fearless approach to art, embracing risk and the possibility of erasure. Mughal’s process — direct, unrestricted, and instinctual— mirrors the boundless possibilities of a blank canvas, says the curator.

Bakhtawar Naqvi explores the duality of borders, which can offer both safety and restriction. Her figurative paintings ‘Kite Flyer’ and ‘Hookah Time’ on wasli in gouache and watercolour are meditations on these contrasts.

Through simple yet evocative depictions of daily life, Ms Naqvi invites viewers to reflect on how borders — whether tangible or intangible — shape individual experiences. Her intricate execution and subtle narratives create a dialogue about security, freedom and limitation.

Visual artist Bazil Habib employs abstract and geometric forms to explore the interplay of light and space. In works like ‘Within These Walls’, ‘The Light That Guides’, and ‘One That Reflects’, he deconstructs familiar environments to craft surreal and minimalistic compositions. Repeating motifs such as windows, steps, and light serve as symbols of spiritual and physical journeys.

“Light shapes the mood and atmosphere of these spaces,” he explains, emphasising how his art reconstructs memories and visions, offering a dreamlike reflection on space and its meanings.

“My work incorporates symbols that represent one’s journey through spaces and their spiritual significance,” he explained.

Fizza Hussain merges rich symbolism with personal expression. Her figurative paintings, - ‘The Emperor’, ‘The Empress’, ‘The Hierophant’, and ‘The Star’, - reinterpret tarot archetypes. Painted on cloth and displayed in rubber embroidery hoops, these works convey messages of guidance and perspective.

For Fizza, tarot transcends mere fortune-telling; it’s a way to connect deeply with human experiences and emotions.

Rabia Riaz turns her focus to the beauty of mountains. Through landscape paintings on wasli in gadrung, she conveys the grandeur and majesty of these natural wonders. Her work reflects her journey to overcome a personal fear of mountains, transforming apprehension into appreciation.

Tehseen Khan’s figurative painting ‘The Hold’ examines the intersection of cultural heritage and Western influence. Raised in a society often resistant to external ideas, Ms Khan’s work challenges the notion that embracing other cultures diminishes one’s identity. Her blend of Eastern and Western aesthetics emphasises that cultural exchange enriches rather than erases.

“Diverse influences expand, rather than replace, our cultural identity,” she asserts. Her art eloquently expresses this belief, showcasing a harmonious fusion of tradition and innovation.

Ubaid Tariq’s abstract works on metal in ultraviolet print ask questions about cultural memory and identity. Exploring how sacred symbols evolve into abstraction, his art challenges perceptions of faith, heritage, and progress. “Can memory be encoded into symbols?” he ponders.

According to Tariq: “There are certain symbols and signs which become part of our collective consciousness. My current work is based on cultural memory.”

Vaneeza Javed’s work delves into personal memory, capturing the bond between a child and their grandfather. Incorporating objects and photographs associated with her grandfather, she creates poignant reflections on familial ties.

Central to her art is the coral symbol, representing the enduring nature of memories. Her work evokes a timeless connection, highlighting how past experiences shape our present.

Samiya Mahir Sheikh’s vibrant figurative paintings, includingThe Trail – Human Error, Swimming in a Fish Bowl, andBusy Man, explore themes of chaos and tranquillity. Using acrylic and mixed media on canvas, her work reflects a quest for inner peace amid life’s turbulence.

The show will continue till 21 January, 11 am to 7 pm daily at the Gallery in F-6 Markaz.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2025