By: Abdul Rauf and Azhar Mehmood

ISLAMABAD July 20, 2010: A remarkable amalgam of skills and aesthetics, the incorporations of the traditional technique of miniature painting into a contemporary imagery, the presentation of seriously perceived and artistically executed ideas, is just a hint of what the exhibition of miniature paintings, has to offer to the art lovers from 21st July to 15th August 2010, at Nomad Gallery F-6/1, Islamabad. 

Ms. Nageen Hayat, Director and Curator, Nomad Gallery, seemed very enthusiastic about the work by the four young artists, when she talked to this news agency, saying. “The artists here are fresh graduates yet their work shows immense potential and talent of the artists. We have sent 600 invitations and pasted the information on Facebook too to invite maximum number of people. I am very confident that because of the excellent quality of the work presented here, there would be a great response from art lovers.”

 

Saima Beenish, one of the four artists, stated, “My drive to paint portraits intrigues me to explore other medium with I blend with miniature painting while expressing the same level of sensitivity.” The series of five paintings by her is surely to interest the artistic minds. 

 

The painting of very common objects is likely to make you go through a stream of consciousness experience; the flashbacks may take you to the past events mostly the childhood memories, if you see any of the 10 paintings exhibited by Silwat Mumtaz. She talked about her work by saying, “objects are common commodities. I have used them as a building block of my work since every one can relate to them, but at different level, offering various tints and shades of meaning.” 

 

The work by Beenish Khalid, focusing on the lack of the most needed higher sense of responsibility especially related to the position of power, has a very strong symbolism and is a testament to the exquisite skills of the artist to portray the criticism, feelings and awareness of our youth in a very artistic way. She said, “To have kursi or to be in a position of power means much higher sense of responsibility which presently according to my point of view is severely lacking in our society.”

 

Fatima Shakil with her paintings is trying to bridge a gap between past and the present time. She is presenting the memories derived from old photographs in the present context. She states about her work in these words, “From sometime now I have been involved and drawn towards old photographs since they capture the moment that remains constant. So I started making a link of photos with the present time and how I relate to it now due to a long span of time but now and then.”

 

It is a pleasant thing to see our young artists, showing an immense talent and potential, even in the times of social crises. The efforts made by the Nomad Gallery administration must be responded by the people to encourage the talented youth of our country. Moreover the visitors of that exhibition would feel great pleasure to see such impressive pieces of art.--INFN (Infochange News and Features Network) (with picture)