KARACHI: When artists paint their personal predicaments they invariably end up choosing the roundabout way for expressing themselves. This borders on abstraction that is more suited to the artists’ endeavour in pushing the boundary not just for themselves but also for the viewer.

As opposed to witnessing a realistic work of art the viewer finds multiple ways to interpret exhibits that are abstruse in nature. An exhibition of works by five of the country’s established artists titled ‘Intimacy’ curated by Maha Malik, which is under way at the Koel Art Gallery, underscores this observation.

Ayesha Qureshi intelligently plays with the element of solemnity tinged with sedateness in her oil on paper works. There is quietude which is a kind of introspection than a result of avoidable or unavoidable circumstances. The longer the viewer looks at her paintings, the more her technique overwhelms the content.

Mussarat Mirza oscillates between a traditionally ambient canvas and contemporary subject matter. Her ‘Ze Ishq-i-Dost Har Saat’ series is a visual treat. Through the small openings, or their illusions, in the artworks the artist allows the viewer to move into the scene. However, there’s no guarantee for the viewer’s return.