Essence of The Rainbow at Nomad Art Gallery
Away from the news of sit-ins, a display of colours brought calm into the lives of people on Friday evening.
Titled ‘Essence of the rainbow’, which will open at the Nomad Gallery on Saturday, the display features paintings by three women artists commenting on social issues.
Director Nomad Gallery Nageen Hyat explained how the artists were silently making contributions even under the prevailing circumstances.
“This show is like a breath of fresh air. It will take people’s minds off the prevailing tensions, especially in Islamabad,” said Nageen Hyat.
All the three artists have held and participated in solo and group shows before.
Ufaq Ehsan believes that what people saw, felt, heard and sensed influenced them greatly and, therefore, was reflected in everything they chose to do.
“Sound, fragrance and people inspire the colours I choose and the imagery that prevails in my work. Being surrounded by colours from the time we are born to the moment when our eyes blink for the last time, I not only acknowledge their role in existence itself but also openly admit to utilising their essence to create my paintings,” the artist explained on the preview day.
She argued that colours healed not only her inner being but also those who she came in contact with.
“Colours have and will continue to be integral to my paintings. From the moment I begin my painting to the time I complete it, personalities, auras and moods of my visitors shape my work which makes each painting unique,” said Ms Ehsan.
Tayyaba Aziz described herself as a figurative, abstract expressionist and analytical cubist.
She does not believe in holding back emotions, the way culture and society teach people.
“I believe emotions should be expressed more regularly and freely. Colours play an extremely important role in my paintings making it more decorative and intense. My work is the expression or application of imagination,” said the artist.
Muniba Khurram aims to give her clients the best of her artistic abilities. She believes in playing with vibrant colours too and flawless portrayal of true emotions. Her work speaks her heart out and is all about people, their expressions, dreams and aspirations. Though bound to a wheelchair, her spirit and artistry knows no bounds. In fact, she takes the agony of spinal cord injury as a challenge and is more determined to express her sentiments through her artwork.
While doing her bachelor in fine arts, she met a road accident which made her paraplegic. Currently, she is running her brand, Muniba’s Canvas, with the slogan ‘Let your walls wear colours’.
Muniba Khurram is a mix-media artist and believes in depicting ethnic jewels of her region in an abstract way. Some of her work was purely abstract which depicted the human expressions, their thoughts and dreams. Her paintings gave the message of living life and represented the real personality of the artist. Besides being an artist, she is also a content writer and motivational speaker.
“Though it is hard to paint being a paraplegic, it is not easy to paint with a free mind when you are wheelchair bound. Yet I know it is the only way to spread the message of strength and courage. So I forget my pain and paint for myself. I paint for people with the hope that they never give up either,” said Muniba Khurram. The exhibition will continue till August 31.
(dawn.com)
