LAHORE, March 15: A group exhibition by 20 fresh graduates of the National College of Arts began here on Monday at the Alhamra Art Centre. The exhibition, inaugurated by the fine art department head , includes pieces of sculpture, paintings, photography and interior designing.

Giving reasons for putting up such a wide variety of art pieces on display, Qaiser Khan, one of the participants, said: "It is basically an attempt to dispel the general impression that the NCA is teaching only abstract arts." This was also part of the students' thesis, which should help provide a peep into the kind of work being taught at the premier art school.

Another participant, Danish Nizami, said none of the fresh graduate had enough of identity in art circles to risk an independent venture. For this reason, he said, all the fresh graduates had collaborated on the project.

Ms Isma Husain, a sculptor, believed that the thesis, being the stepping-stone, is always more important for students. Displaying it for public criticism will not give the fresh graduates more confidence, she added.