A three-day Spring Art Fair opens today (Friday) at gallery6, which has a display of about 100 artworks by 40 artists from Islamabad, Karachi, Quetta, Lahore, Chakwal, Jhelum and Hyderabad. The exhibition has appeal for both serious and new art collectors, as it offers outstanding works of renowned artists, much sought after artists from the newer core, recent graduates and upcoming artists. The artists include Akram Dost, Ali Azmat, A Q Arif, Ather Jamal, Abid Hassan, Altaf Ahmed, Aleem Dad, Arjumand Faisel, Arjumand Awan, Arjumand Hussain, Amjad Hussain, Arsalan Naqvi, Babar Moghal, Fatima Shakil, Farrah Mahmood, Irfan Gul Dahri, Iqbal Hussain, Imran Hunzai, Jabal Baloch, Kausar Iqbal, Mansur Aye, Mashkoor Raza, Masood A. Khan, Mobina Zuberi, Mohammad Saleh, Munaf Khan, Mutaib Shah, Nadya Hussain, Nadia Rahat, Nazir Ahmad, Omer Waheed, RM Naeem, Rasheed Ahmed Arshad, Sadaf Naeem, Sana Arjumand, Shahid Hussain, Tahir Irfan, Tayyaba Aziz, Tariq Luni, and Tayyeb Munawwar.
The variety includes prints, sculptures, woodcarvings and paintings that have miniatures, calligraphies, figurative work, landscapes, works in expressionism, and abstracts. Media varies from ‘neem’ rang, pencil, water colours, oil paints, acrylics, dry pastels, oil pastels, wood, fibre glass.
Paintings from renowned artists are in their iconic styles. RM Naeem has his genderless figure experiencing mystic rituals and it reflects amazing peace even with fire on both sides of the subject in a remarkable way. Iqbal Hussain’s painting creates the feeling of some moments of relaxation in the busy life of female sex workers through simple but powerful postures. Mashkoor displays a female in happier mood while Akram’s females are pensive and apathetic, hidden in Balochi motifs. Ali Azmat’s ‘hijra’ with cactus very eloquently describes the tale of this gender’s thorny life. Rashid Arshed’s digital prints of calligraphy are extremely aesthetic and as usual do not use words or phrases that are readable or have literal relevance. AQ Arif’s work on architectural heritage in white has very serene and pleasant effects.
Besides the above, the art fair has some very remarkable artworks that draw attention. For example, the painting of Mansur Aye, who passed away in April 2008, is very outstanding and could be included among his distinct works; a brilliant six feet long calligraphy on fibre glass by sculptor Shahid Hussain stands out exquisitely; very interesting modern miniature works are on display, especially a miniature of Quaid-i-Azam by Mutaib Shah, of Nustrat Fateh Ali Khan by Mohammad Saleh and of Austrian Queen and King by Farrah Mahmood Rana; and anatomical drawings of female figure by Babar Moghal that has elements of designing, miniature work and realistic painting.
Talking about the art fair, Dr. Arjumand Faisel, the curator of the gallery, said, “We did an exhibition ‘Welcome 2010’ in January in which we displayed the works of newer talents with the paintings of well-recognised artists. It was very well received by art lovers and much appreciated by the younger breed of artists. It had 22 artists, and now we have built further on the same idea and have provided a platform to many more new and upcoming, but very talented artists whose works are displayed with renowned artists.
This would help them access art collectors when they come to see the works of the leading artists of the country.” The Spring Art Fair would continue till Monday April 12 at gallery 6, House no. 624, Street 44, G-9/1, Islamabad. Art lovers will be pleased to note that gallery remains open every day of the week, including Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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