Islamabad: At a time when expressing culture is both essential and powerful, The Gravity of Grace stands out as a bold artistic voice.

Curated by Dr Arjumand Faisel, this group exhibition brings together ten renowned artists whose work explores personal, spiritual and social themes, reflecting the struggles and sensitivities of today’s Pakistani society.

Held at Gallery6, the show was inaugurated by Jean-Charles Allard, Deputy Head of Mission at the French Embassy. Mr Allard praised the diversity of expression on display, calling for cultural exchange between Pakistan and France and interaction of diplomats with artists to understand the rich culture of the country.

Dr Najeeba Arif appreciated the creative strength of artists, emphasising the critical role of literature and art in shaping Pakistan’s soft image and cultural diplomacy. Curated with a sharp eye for both aesthetic individuality and thematic resonance, the exhibition draws on tradition, memory, identity, and transformation.

“While each artist offers a distinct vision, the exhibition collectively reveals a shared sensibility—one that engages with the evolving terrain of contemporary expression,” said Dr Faisel.

The artistic journey opens with AQ Arif’s landscapes in earthy tones, steeped in Mughal architecture and spiritual solitude. “My figures inhabit vast landscapes, drawing on architecture to evoke emotion and a sense of solitude,” he says.

In striking contrast, Masood A Khan presents transparent, layered compositions that fuse realism with modernism, probing truth and social hypocrisy without forsaking natural form. “Through layered transparency, I explore truth, spirituality, and social hypocrisy,” he explains.

Sarfraz Musawir’s classical watercolours portray the vivid yet rugged spirit of nomadic desert life. “Desert people are lively and tough, like cactus,” Musawir remarks. “They hide their sorrows behind colourful dresses and smiling faces.”

Jamil Baloch, a multidisciplinary artist from Balochistan, uses mixed media and sculpture to explore power, resistance and identity. Drawing from regional roots and global concerns, his tactile narratives resonate with struggle, resilience and displacement.

Mobina Zuberi’s lyrical abstractions balance geometry and emotion, with a recurring exploration of feminine identity.

Similarly, Shaista Momin crafts surreal, dreamlike tableaux of women and pigeons—steeped in folklore, introspection, and quiet power. “I portray powerful female figures, blending symbolism and emotion to reflect silent resilience,” she says.

Sumera Jawad delves into psychological and emotional complexity, especially around feminine identity. Her figurative works, such as Power and In the Sunlight, use calligraphy and gesture to evoke unspoken truths.

Tabinda Chinoy weaves symbolic portraiture and domestic motifs to explore the layered lives of urban women. Avian imagery in works like Purple Moon and The Casanova, His Damsel, Her Bird speaks subtly of constraint, aspiration, and the desire for transcendence.

“I express my dream of a peaceful, united world—blending cultures and evoking shared human experience,” she says.

Veteran artist Wahab Jaffer contributes vibrant compositions celebrating the female form, brimming with energy, metaphor, and mood.

Shammi Ahmed is a self-taught artist whose bold and expressive female figures echo the rhythm of contemporary life. Inspired by Picasso and her cousin Jamil Naqsh, she brings her signature dynamism to the show.

“This exhibition not only honours the past contributions of these artists,” Dr Faisel concludes, “but also celebrates their continuing impact on the contemporary art landscape.” The show continues until June 29.

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2025