The artist community in its own way have shown respect and reverence for the month of Islam in the exhibition ‘Quat’ at Ejaz Gallery in Gulberg.
This group show of calligraphic artworks by 19 prominent visual artists of Pakistan that began on Tuesday highlights deep ties between art and Islam. Although these artists are not traditional calligraphers, but each has developed and moulded calligraphy into an art form uniquely. The exhibition will remain continue till July 1.
Keeping the essence and vast history of calligraphy being an Islamic traditional art, the artists have expressed their ideas of perceiving the calligraphy in contemporary era. Blending the local, indigenous and foreign (Arab) technique of calligraphy the artists have made an attempt to transcend values of our country.
Artists whose work have been on display include AQ Arif, Abdul Jabbar Gul, Ali Azmat, Arif Khan, Bashir Ahmed, Chitra Pritam, Irfan Gul Dahri, Jamil Baloch, Noreen Akhtar, Mariam Hanif,Mashkoor Raza, Mudassar Manzoor, Mughjees Riaz RM Naeem, Shahnawz Zaidi, Saeed Akhtar, Sadia Farooq, Ufaq Ehsan, and Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi.
The exhibition was inaugurated by columnist and former Secretary Archives Department Punjab Orya Maqbool Jan. The chief guest also delivered lecture on ‘Islam and Art’ in which he stated that art has never been the ‘no go area’ in the entire history of Islam. And, what Islam had spearheaded in the field of arts and culture including calligraphy, paintings, architecture, and singing and poetry. He said the exhibition narrated the perfect example on how an artist sees and perceive the calligraphy. The session was moderated by Shanawaz Zaidi.
Munawarul Islam, renowned calligrapher said all the work displayed falls under the banner of modern calligraphy. “Coming from different backgrounds while some of them are giants in their genres of art, the artists have experimented in the field of calligraphy. Their contribution to the realm of calligraphy by using contemporary techniques is commendable,” Munawar said.
Ramsha Imran, student of fine arts at National College of Arts, said the exhibition gave her a lot of understanding about the indigenous arts and culture of this land. “Being a student of fine arts this work has given me new ideas to apply try contemporary techniques,” she said.
Curator Marium Hanif said the exhibition leaves strong imprints on the minds of readers. “The art of calligraphy itself is thought provoking and very rich tradition of our land. The artists have used their different techniques to present calligraphy that is very much contemporary but still steeped in the tradition of grand calligraphy artists,” she said.
source : hawzahnews