KARACHI, Dec 18: The mystery of the unseen has always fascinated writers and artists. Phrases like ‘the fear of the unknown’ and ‘the undiscovered land’ are commonly used or alluded to by creative individuals in their works, for it is from the invisible that they tend to seek the answers to the questions raised by the naked eye. An exhibition of Imran Channa’s latest artworks titled Lik Likoti opened at the Canvas Art Gallery on Tuesday.

Lik Likoti is a Sindhi phrase for the universal game of ‘hide and seek’ that almost every child in the world plays.

Lik Likoti therefore becomes a symbol of the ostensibly obscure, which may lead to the resolution of issues related to the universe where one follows what one sees. To drive his point home, Imran Channa employs three media, namely oil on canvas, plywood box, video clips and graphite on paper artworks. All of them serve his purpose well, especially the work done in graphite on paper that eggs the viewer on to make an effort in order to look beyond the blurry picture.

The graphite pieces are an eye-teaser, in the sense that while understanding and identifying the images lightly drawn on the surface, the element of ambiguity remains intact, which is perhaps the whole idea.

In his statement, the artist explains that he has chosen the game as a strategic model of finding out ‘the accuracy of the hidden and doubtful historical adventures; one must always be careful to distinguish between genuine and false mysteries’. Here the word ‘adventure’ is important since it implies both serious and light-hearted pursuits, a combination that life frequently throws at human beings not only to indulge but also to ponder over. And sometimes the consequences of which can be graver than one might have anticipated.

The exhibition will remain open till Dec 27.

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

ALTHOUGH dealing with the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan is a major political, security and strategic...
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...