The use of soft tones and painting of scenic landscapes is a welcome break from the depression and gloom that is prevalent in our terror-ridden society. That is why, perhaps, the artists use their brush strokes to paint landscape to give art lovers a solace to get rid of looming terror threats and socio-economic hardships – though for a time being. One such artist is Nazir Ahmed.
Nazir’s painting exhibition “Symphonies in Landscapes” opens today (Friday 16 December) at gallery 6. Nazir graduated from NCA in 1976 and was highly inspired by Khalid Iqbal, the renowned art teacher and painter. From the third year in art school, he focused all his attention on landscape painting and received early recognition through several awards.
Nazir has continued his journey in landscape painting since then. He is among those few painters who opts to paint outdoors rather than in their studios. He derives great enjoyment witnessing the influence of changing light on colours in the surroundings. He then very carefully captures the details in the visual field and successfully creates the same life and spirit on the surface – canvas or paper.
Nazir has command over different media – oil paints, water colour and ink – and uses these with equal confidence and ease. Nazir’s oil paintings are descriptive and expressive. Water colour works are distinguished by simplification through the linkage of light, shadow and colours. The pen and ink drawings are striking with minimal use of lines. Whatever the medium, the outcome is the artwork that makes the viewer perceive the scene, most of which displays serenity and have a soothing effect.
Commenting on this aspect, Nazir said: “I feel immensely happy when I succeed in capturing the scene with the pulsation of those moments.” Nazir studies the nature’s magnificence in many ways. The exhibition portrays his admiration for the trees, adoration of rivers, fascination with the clouds, love with the bright sunshine, honour to the silhouettes and incredible understanding of capturing the beauty of colours and their chromatic effects in nature.
Among trees, Nazir has painted the splendour of almost every tree in his surrounding, including Sumbul, Kachnar, Amaltas, Gul-e Nishtar, Neem, Kikar, Weeping Willow and Bottle Brush. The blooming mustard fields have also received his attention like many other landscape painters. He also took up the challenge of handling those aspects in nature that are not stationary, such as flowing river water and moving clouds.
He has worked on static subjects like historical landmarks such as Kashmiri Gate, Delhi Gate, Sheranwala and Jehangir’s tomb, but not as frequently as natural scenes.
Discussing his work, Nazir said, “Nature fascinates me, as it is created not by man but by the Supreme Power and I enjoy its glory, attempting to capture it on my canvas or paper. The enjoyment of seeing, perceiving and then visually translating the nature cannot be described in words – during this process, I feel being in another world”.
Dr Arjumand Faisal, the curator of gallery 6, said, “Admiration of nature by the artist is evident from each work, which is outstanding in its own way. There is striking beauty in the simplicity of each work. His works portray the magnificence of the nature with an aura of calm, and is devoid of decorative and adulterated glorification. These are true studies – whether done in oil, ink or water colour – it makes one perceive the seasonal characteristics and related impressions.”
Nazir Ahmed has also had an illustrious career in government service. Currently, he is working as Director (Handicrafts and Design) in Punjab Small Industries Corporation, Lahore, but has contributed in many other ways such as designing for various PTV programmes, illustrations and sculptures for documentary films, upgrading course on designing and illustrations for National Book Foundation, illustrating some books. To date, he has participated in more than 50 group shows and held 12 solo exhibitions. He is returning to Islamabad with a one-man show after a long gap of 15 years, which will be well received by the art lovers of the twin cities.
The exhibition will continue till 26 December, daily from 11 am to 7pm (including Sundays) at gallery 6, House 624, Street 44, G-9/1.
