A delicately beautiful contemporary art show titled ‘Paper One’ opened at Khaas Art Gallery which is an interesting and experimental endeavour by four Lahore-based artists that deal with the form and politics of the material ‘paper’ as a medium of expression.
The artists who are participating in the exhibition include Asad Hayee, Ghulam Hussain, Hassan Mujtaba and Sheraz Faisal.
Throughout history, the paper has featured as a very basic, nonetheless important surface used by artists all over the world. The four participating artists approach the topic in a unique way, exploring the tactility of the paper and using its simplicity to their advantage. They have achieved this by using poetic hand-made Nepalese paper or by cutting and constructing or by combining layers to create wasli paper essentially used for miniature painting (layers of water colour paper bound together by hand to create a card-like surface).
Each artist has explored the endless possibilities of using ‘paper’ in their own way and therefore each artwork holds its own characteristic charm.
This show is a combination of artists who investigate the politics of a simple material – “Paper” – which has been a basic material used by artists over centuries. Though the subject matter of all four artists is diverse, each one of them engages differently with surface and form.
Each explores the ‘meaning’ of paper in a personal manner by cutting, constructing or combining its layers to make ‘wasli’ (a traditional surface) or enjoys the poetry of handmade paper prepared by craftswomen in remote areas of Nepal.
Asad Hayee is a graduate in Fine Arts from National College of Arts in 2001, who has been interested in gender politics from the beginning of his career. His approach towards the medium is simple yet made complex through the construction of the scheme.
His metaphorical approach is the soul of work, which generates a dialogue for the viewer. His use of ‘Tie’ and ‘Rose’ as metaphor, binds the narrative of both genders collectively.
Ghulam Hussain graduated in fine arts from National College of Arts in 2010. He is a trained miniaturist and opts to experiment with the genre which has a hallowed history.
He combines his knowledge of weaving, the traditional craft and take up the debate of miniature as ‘High Art’ or ‘Craft’. As a parallel the ‘Used’ pages from school work books comment on the politics of power and social structures of ‘Society’.
Hassan Mujtaba graduated in visual arts and design from Beaconhouse National University in 2009. He challenges social status in a thought provoking way.
His interpretation of the use of language in daily life looks at both ‘Urdu’ and ‘English’ as a tool in society. Mujtaba, now scrutinises the human behaviour and has worked ‘origami’ to make forms like boats, airplanes or by simply shredding paper to show the role of power and desire of control.
Sheraz Faisal has Masters degree in design from College of Art and Design, Punjab University in 2008. His approach to current political turmoil is evident in his minimalistic works.
He has used cut outs of bullets, roofed with flowers and petals, with a strong sense of design on a similarly patterned wasli. The compositions are camouflaged sensitively to create visual illusions. Though the visuals layers appear to be veiled and unveiled, yet create a room for dialogue.
The exhibition will continue till March 25.
