Diverse artwork on display at gallery6

A wide range of diverse contemporary paintings and sculptures produced by 27 artists, both local and foreigners, were displayed at gallery6 on Saturday, under the title Mélange 70.
The artists, who have showcased their work under various themes, include Abdul Jabbar Gull, Aisha, Altaf Ahmed, Amna Hashmi, Gabrielle Pool, Hira Zubair, Humera Ghaznavi, Imran Hunzai, Irfan Gul Dahri, Irshad Salim, Jamil Baloch, Kausar Iqbal, Mansur Rahi, Matloob Baig, Mutaib Shah, Nadia Hussain, Nazir Ahmed, Nida Bangash, Noor Jehan Bilgrami, Rabia Zuberi, Rashid Arshed, Sadequain, Sara Noreen, Shehla Rafi, Tariq Luni, Tayyab Munawar and Usman Saeed.
Oil and acrylic on canvas, gold on paper, ink and watercolour, pastel on paper, mixed medium, oil on board and pantograph are the mediums used in most of works. The exhibition also comprises wooden sculptures by six artists. Exploring and influencing other art forms, the exhibition has tried to retain glory of Islamic tradition and inspired many minds. The artists have used oil paint, glass colour and pencil to give effects to their works.
In some paintings, the background is unique, as the brush has been not used. The artists have simply splashed the paint on the surface of the hardboard in different colours and made designs by shaking the paint. Such a novel technique spoke volumes for their ability. Talking to Pakistan Today, Dr Arjumand Faisal, the director of gallery6, while commenting on the work of Australian artist Gabrielle Pool, described a painting ‘Barren Trees’ as a brilliant piece, saying it showed calmness and serenity.
“The artist has been invited by Nelson Mandela to visit South Africa where ‘The Infertility Trees’ are found in abundance. It is supposed that childless women visit this place and offer prayers to have child, and they become fertile and start producing kids,” Faisal said, adding the artist had wonderfully merged the trees with the soil, giving the impression from gloominess to happiness.
Eight reproduction prints of oil on canvas by Sadequain are also on display. He and a student of Fatima Jinnah University Rawalpindi are presenting their work at the exhibition, which features art forms such as miniature sculpture, abstract and oil on canvas. Faisal said Sheila Raffi, an artist known for her spontaneous painting skills, showcased a sketch of a shrine in Sihala. “Mansoor Rahi’s pencil sketch work is astounding as he made it in a free flow of hand in one going and it takes 2-3 minutes to produce a quality sketch,” Faisal said.
Nida Bangash and Usman Saeed’s work of miniature paintings also attracted viewers a lot. Noor Jehan Bilgrami, the owner of the Bilgrami Art Gallery, and Jamil Baloch’s work also displayed on the walls. Wooden and stone sculptures by Imran Hunzai, Abdul Jabbar, Nazir Ahmed, Tariq Looni and Rabia Zuberi, the founder Karachi School of Arts, provide a pleasant change to viewers who are least interested in wall art.
Dr Faisal said majority of paintings were being sold at a 50% discount and the proceeds would go to the treatment of cancer patients. The exhibition will continue at gallery6, House No 624, Street No 44, G-9/1, till November 5.