The work of an Italian wildlife artist Maurizio Boscheri attracted a large number of visitors in a solo exhibition that kicked off on Wednesday in Lahore’s Defense area. The art lovers thronged the exhibition that was organised by the Royaat Gallery on an inaugural day and it will remain open till 10th of May– next month.
As many as 20 painting depicted a very apt picture of the wildlife and biodiversity in which he painted both animals and birds by using acrylic and oil on canvas. The Italian artist has painted leopard, lion, white tiger, jaguar cubs, black eagle, snow deer and black steed in a very creative manner that visitors had a feeling that they were wandering in a jungle instead of an art gallery.
Talking to Pakistan Today, Maurizio Boscheri said that he loves to paint nature. “I frequently use blue and black colour in my work and I use blue colour when I feel relaxed and the black colour is used when I enter in the aggressive mood,” the Italian artist said. He further added that he usually paints three to four paintings at the same time because whenever he gets bored with one painting, he immediately shifts towards the other one with a different colour scheme; and he requires one month to complete a piece. “I always feel very happy to be in Pakistan as it is my fourth visit to the country and earlier I have displayed my work in Karachi,” Boscheri said, who painted a mural at Jinnah International Airport Karachi last year.
Amna, a visitor told this scribe that it seems that she is watching the national geographic channel through this painting exhibition.
Waseem Anwar Baig, another visitor said that the artist did several new experiences with his colour scheme contrary to the stereotype traditional photo exhibitions. “One can see that bright colours were used in these paintings that show that he has painted most of the work in the relaxed atmosphere,” he said.
Artist Huma Wasiq told Pakistan Today that the Pakistani artists are unaware of the significance of nature and therefore this very important aspect is felt missing in their works. “There is a need to preserve our biodiversity and the Italian artist has done a remarkable work in this regard,” she said. Some of the birds and animals he has painted are from Pakistan and he has also painted some animals of his own country in this exhibition, she added.
The Royaat gallery –an independent body– has been promoting the artwork both in Pakistan and abroad by holding such exhibitions since 2001.
