LAHORE: Highlighting culture, people and the landscape of Pakistan, two art exhibitions opened here on at Alhamra Art Centre, The Mall.

Both art shows simultaneously opened in two separate galleries located at Alhamra. A number of art lovers, students from different art institutions, painters and other guests enjoyed the thriving art scene.

Razaq Vance, a National Geographic stock photographer, displayed photographs titled ‘The Living Land.’ By profession Razaq Vance is a zoologist and is working as an Assistant Professor at Samundri, Faisalabad. The colourful exhibition of photographs by the artist was his first solo; however, he has participated in a number of group shows in Pakistan and aboard.

“The basic aim of my exhibition is to highlight the landscape and village culture of Pakistan, I want to express my resolve through my exhibition that despite all odds we are going through we are an alive nation and we have a rich and vibrant culture,” Vance said.

He said he had tried to capture the splendid beauty of Pakistani land and its diverse cultures. The 70 photographs on display were reflective of not only geographical and cultural variety the country is blessed with but they remind one of far away lands, the mystery and adventure of those places as well. The passions and feelings of people and the moments of dancing light were beautifully captured.

The second exhibition titled ‘Living Dreams’ by 10 students of Department of Art and Design, Mirpur Khas University of Science and Technology, was another major attraction for art lovers at Alhamra.

“It’s a wonderful and extremely pleasant experience that for the first time our work is being exhibited at the famed Alhamra Art Gallery of Lahore,” said a student while talking to this reporter.

The artists who put on display some 60 or so works included Alia Arshad, Bushra Lodhi, Faiza Rafiq, Maryam Ali, Sania Nawaz Ratayl, Sobya Ashraf, Uzma Raja, Zahid Alam, Zakia Liaquat and Rifat Qureshi.

The artworks on display, mostly paintings, covered a vast area of interest when it comes to an array of issues and approaches towards life. Those artworks interpret topics from history to various walks of life representing one’s own locality as ‘Living Dreams’.

Alia Arshad brought into focus the almost dying tradition of handicrafts, Bushra Lodhi had tried to encompass the life of a robber while Sobya Ashraf’s work revolved around the basic theme of spirituality. Zakia Liaquat did paintings on the history of Mangla Fort with a special focus on its architecture.

Sania Nawaz’s paintings were based on social issues, Maryam Ali had brought into light the unsung hero Mohammad Khan Jarral of Kashmir Liberation War 1947-48 and Faiza’s work was inspired by childhood games. The visitors appreciated the numerous ideas by the students and their effort in making their exhibition a successful one.

Both the shows will continue till Sept 15.