Making inroads to survive in the federal capital on the art horizon, Gallery Louvre (GL) on Wednesday displayed a diverse contemporary art of M Hussain Chandio, Natalia Kakar, and AS Rind. The work of Rind, as commented by an art lover, is not new as she has witnessed it hundreds of time at the art galleries of Islamabad, but this was the first group exhibit and second overall by the GL; perhaps, that is why they include the old work of Rind with brand new of other two artists. The curator of GL, Alina Saeed, when asked about exhibiting the work of Rind again, she said, “The works of older artists has to be carried on with the budding ones to attract the admirers.”
This is the 36th group show appearance of Rind with the title ‘Faiz Ahmed Faiz Poetry’, encouraging the first appearances of M Hussain’s ‘Sundar Chehra’ and Natalia Kakar’s ‘Myths and Beauty’. Rind, who has been painting for over two decades, have developed a name for himself with his unique art, in which he dabbles in abstract art, impressionism and cubism, while he is also well-known for employing the poetry of Faiz. The artist mostly plays with the colours, which inspired him throughout his childhood in the desert area near Rahim Yar Khan – from where he belongs to. His works reflect the faces and moods of women of his native land – adorned elegantly with ethnic jewellery in distinctive styles.
Working with a medium of acrylic on canvas and figurative work of ink drawing, Rind’s 10 caches of paintings carry a strong cultural influence of his area, as his paintings are deeply influenced by the regional aesthetics, splendour, colours and motifs. Rind has used verses of Faiz to emphasise the mood and expression of the stylised women he has painted.
Rind has displayed his works at galleries all over the country. The sounds and smells and colours of his hometown were forever hauntingly presenting his subconscious. He has returned to them through the paintings in the present collection. The jewellery and designs are gentle reminders that a son of the soil has come back to announce his heritage and even though there has been an effort to stylise the figures and enhance the design element, the colours claim a distant relationship with the desert. According to Salim Lalani, the owner of GL, “Rind is a permanent feature of Louvre Karachi, which exhibited his work thrice. It was only natural, that now we are in Islamabad, he should be part of first group exhibition here,” he said smilingly. Hussain Chandio from Jamshoro, in his first ever exhibition in Islamabad, keeps playing with the variety of mediums and techniques in contemporary fashion.
Under the title ‘Sunder Chehra’, Chandio in his collection of 18 pieces, uses unique dot art technique. Up-close the paintings look as abstract art; however, at the distance figurative work is developed by acrylic bubble technique on canvas. His work is an experienced which can be shared only.
The form is developed with debs of colours in small grids. These grids and circles are meticulously outlined with a darker tone. These darker tones then weaved together creating an impression in the portraits. This is an interesting part of his work. The striking feature of the exhibition is without doubt the work of
Natalia Kakar. Kakar, mostly known for her paintings and of Ukrainian, unleashes her fantasies in her sketches of pen and pencil on paper titled ‘Myths and Beauty’.
Her fantasy goddess wears different faces from Greek myths to eastern bride but her European art school education reveals itself in every line. This is her first sketch exhibition while she has had around 15 paintings exhibitions to her credit.
According to Natalia, “Goddess myths have inhabited the human imagination and spirit for thousands of years, representing the eternally feminine qualities that pattern women’s lives. Each of the goddess myths is different just as each goddess is unique – motivated by different values and priorities. Each has goddess – given characteristics both positive and potentially problematic ones,” she said. The young blonde artist maintained that her sketches are all about the myths and beauty where the subjects are butterflies and unicorn. The exhibition will continue till November 14.
