Articulating one’s art is like a compulsion to leave a mark and for the mark to make a statement or testimony. The mark is similar to a form of drawing or in some cases representation of an artist’s private mode of expression. Every artist has his or her own personal stance that holds significance and inventiveness during their creative practice.

Recently, Islamabad’s Gallery 6 held a solo exhibition titled, ‘Wandering colours’ by contemporary artist Ali Abbas who has focused on the life and style of people living on the peripheries. The artist has exhibited in Lahore, Karachi and Dubai, showcased his first exposition in Islamabad, creating excitement and enthusiasm amongst viewers.

One could also refer to Abbas’s style of painting as modern realism whereby he encompasses a language of bright expansive colours against a background of tones of dull black and white spaces. This assemblage of colour against an overcast of blacks and greys extends an interesting angle on an enlargement of space and the isolation and concentration on the figures as the main subject matter. According to literary critic Ian Watt, modern realism begins from the position where the truth can be discovered through the senses, this is a fascinating explanation as it complements Abbas’s way of looking at the nomadic way of life.

Abbas acquired a master's degree in fine arts from the University of Sindh in Jamshoro, and became its teacher within this institution in 1992 and remained there for 10 years. He helped establish the department of fine arts at Iran Cultural Centre in Jamshoro, which is functioning till today. In between he came to Karachi and taught at the Central Institute of Arts and Crafts for one year. He has also worked in the department of architecture, Mehran University. Currently he is working as assistant professor, department of fine arts, Centre of Excellence in Art and Design, Mehran University Jamshoro.

Using the medium of watercolour, his paintings come to life, full of movement and sensitivity, the spectator observes his keen drawing skills and artistic responsiveness along with other visual qualities. Working on location, his inspiring compositions depict women in everyday chores, music and dance under the charismatic and energetic preponderance of the sky, the winds and the land. Abbas’s images demonstrate his superior drawing skills and expertise in rendering the human body within an atmosphere of constant motion.

There is certain poise and grace in the paintings on display, the empathy the artist feels towards his subject matter, the confidence that each canvas portrays through the flawless drawing and meticulous execution and the mood each one generates amongst viewers. When gazed upon carefully, one can see that the figures have been drawn with the assured flow of the brush unlike the conventional graphite on paper. This particular tool, which is not easy to use, unless mastered comprehensively has been the main focus of Abbas’s mode of expression.There are no broken edges or nervous application of the watercolour medium, just the tranquil flow of drawing on paper.

Abbas being a skilled draughtsman makes his expertise apparent in each painting. Above all, he has bestowed magnificence and radiance to people and places that would otherwise go unnoticed by many individuals.