The contemporary world of art in Pakistan is not static and the young lot of brilliant artists is making unique experiments and statements on the artistic horizon through their works. One such miniature artist is Akbar Ali who showcased his 18 miniature art pieces at Khaas Gallery on Tuesday with the theme that society without knowing the identity and value of its own mimicking the western world.
With the title ‘Angels or Demons’ Akbar Ali, a graduate of National College of Arts (NCA) Lahore in his cache of 18 paintings working in gouache on wasli, silver and gold leaf on walsi displayed the different flavours and depth of horizons of today’s young men and women who have forsaken their own cultural values and while imitating the western cultural values often ends with losing the both.
Akbar, 31 has also commented strongly on the contemporary world filled with fake romances and had painted the thoughtful images of the decline of human values and humanity.
The artists, who won the ‘Best Young Painter Award- 2010’ by Lahore Arts Council, with a four years artistic background after graduation is teaching at various universities in modern art. However, surprisingly, Akbar, who belongs to Sanjarpur (Sadiqabad), has chosen miniature art painting as his medium of expression because of its long old history.
While having a quick walk around the gallery, Akbar Ali told Pakistan Today that the title of his art painting is a naughty young character who is a also a son of his guru. I painted him with the backdrop of downing sun because he resembles to a bubbly character of Krishna- who is often described as an infant or young boy playing a flute in Hindu mythology.
The use of spoon, fork and churner (madhani) partially wrapped in fabric looks ridiculous to many but Akbar very seriously portrayed all three in a single painting saying “Fork and Spoon symbolizes a romantic couple while churner (madhani) between them is like of mother who knows everything but refuses to comment- perhaps she shows her satisfaction over this relationship.”
The dating couples of different ages are the feature of Akbar Ali’s artwork. While commenting on one of his paintings, Akbar said this is an Indian (water carrier) who lives his life laboring all day and consequently, got spots and rashes but he loves everything that’s why he does not show his physique to others but here I have wrapped his love into a fabric, he said.
Akbar has lived his young life travelling from Karachi to Sadiqabad to Lahore, and Islamabad thus is familiar with all the provincial and regional languages and experiences of cultural lives of those people. “This is modern young man of Karachi, he is a completely confused person because he wears whatever he gets. This is because he does not aware of his own identity or originality and that is the core element this society is declining because people are oblivion of their values, culture and social norms,” Akabar kept on saying. Similarly, an Italian model is shown in couple of Akbar’s miniature art that again indicates the model is not aware of her own identity and culture but some one is exploiting her for his own sinister motives.
Akbar said that fabric and in particular army uniform cloth piece is an integral part of his art work because he does not want to expose illegal commercial means and relationships based upon materialistic gains as for young Akbar “Different personalities that exist within society, focusing on their acceptance or rejection by the very society that has been there creator.” The exhibition will continue at Khaas Gallery (House 1, Street 2, F-6/3), till 2 January, 2012.
