Satiric, quirky and nostalgic are words that come to mind upon viewing the new works by three young artists from the National College of Arts (NCA) Lahore. These young artists are Atif Khan, Sophiya Khwaja and Zaira Ahmad and their exhibition is opening here today at the Khaas Gallery. With the title ‘Three in a Crowd’ Atif, Zaira and Sophiya have translated their thoughts and emotions into an image which has resonance, staying power, and most crucial of all is the fact that the artists have truly touched a meaningful chord. It will therefore, be difficult to remain detached or unmoved by the images in this exhibition of digital prints.
A graduate from the National College of Arts (NCA) Lahore, Atif has honed his style to a point where there is no irrelevant mark on the plate. This seeming simplicity has of course been carefully and provocatively worked out. According to exhibition description, the artist like the ‘Badshah’ in his images has also aimed, fired and not missed his mark. The surface has become uncluttered and that is only achieved when the artist is supremely in control of what he wishes to express. Within the web of the Mughal Emperor there are hearts of eviscerating muscle, Greek columns, birds that are metamorphosing into butterflies. Placement and precision are important here as they are the armature Atif depends on. This series of digital prints are rich in the multiple meanings they contain.
Though derelict and broken, the ‘Brick by Brick’ series of abandoned dwellings by Zaira speak of meshing strengths and of creating new strengths. The initial impression is one of a passage of time, neglect and echoes of a happier past than this present of uncertainty. The presence of absence is strongly hinted at in the empty rooms and once used spaces.
Zaira’s intention is not to sigh over a bygone era of plenty, but rather to try evoke that same pioneering vision that empowered these once grand structures, thereby bringing purpose back into our world. Humour laced with a punch is what we see in the images of Sophiya Khwaja, another NCA graduate. Like the novels of Khaled Hosseini it is easier to laugh than to allow yourself to cry, when looking at this work. Politically barbed, yet they are drawn with a simplicity and directness that allows each viewer to experience the frustration and anger contained within these prints, as they are mirroring situations that we all have either felt, known about or undergone. The dry point tool is a fast medium particularly suited to the snapshot ‘journalist’ feel of these prints. The particular energy this exhibition brings together underlines strongly once again, the long road travelled by the trio print makers. These prints are diverse in their apposite use of media and culturally rooted images which nevertheless contain an uncomfortable string.
The exhibition will continue until 29 October at Khaas Gallery (House No.1, Street No. 2, Sector-F 6/3).
