Art is very particular yet limitless’... a notion that we often notice while analysing a work of art....
art
Art is very particular yet limitless’... a notion that we often notice while analysing a work of art. It is something which normally holds a number of ideas and inspirations at one point, yet it is confined to its own approach. These ironical aspects make art surreal but very profound as well.
An exhibition called ‘Maidan’ has been curated by Nurayah Sheikh Nabi at Koel Gallery in Karachi, exhibiting the works of nine different artists; each dealing with their individual concerns yet coming together as a group.
According to Nurayah, “Maidan, an open space in or near a town, used as a parade ground or for events such as public gatherings; an arena. The gallery is an arena for nine emerging visual artists to gather an audience and share the beginning of their multidisciplinary practices.
Showcasing trends and direction of the thought processes guiding younger visual practitioners in their current spaces, as a result, reflecting the mood of their city - Karachi.”
The artists who participated include Ameerah Shoaib Motiwala, Maha Minhaj, Mohammed Idris Runija, Noor Butt, Sakina Ali, Sanaan Khalid Shamsi, Sanya Hussain, Shanza Raza Khan and Zainab Abdul Hussain.
“While omitting physical human presence from my visuals, I have attempted to depict complexities by juxtaposing harmony and dissension through the arrangement and displacement of chairs and tables - the most commonly used tools in social gatherings.
With colours, lines and layering, these painted sketches aim to study the shifting and fluid nature of social interactions; both intimate and communal, in their most natural state,” explains Ameerah Shoaib Motiwala about her work ‘Can’t Sit With Us’.
On the other hand, Maha Minhaj talks about her art pieces and says, “The very act of erasing memories is impracticable at best. Stemming from the previous body of work where the visuals under study were used as a metaphor for the human body that spoke of memories and nostalgia, this body serves the function of erasing those trappings. Yet the more erasure takes place, the marks of its presence become more and more apparent that makes one question as to how to heal an arduous memory. The visuals represent the grime, the agent used to clean the grime and the residue that’s left as the effect of it; commenting on the tasking act of cleansing oneself towards self healing.”
“Having an interest in the concept of self-projection and narcissism, my work talks about the new and different ways we all indulge in presenting ourselves a certain way.
Multiple projections of my own face not only hint at the nature of narcissism, but also at the idea of feeling lost and confused about our own self-image.
Instead of trying to express myself in the traditional way, or trying to filter my own image to make it look more presentable, I choose to showcase myself as though on execution, displayed with a sense of ghostliness and macabre to highlight the unease I feel of entering adulthood, while still bearing the weight of figuring out which self-image I want to present to the rest of the world,” states artist Noor Butt.
‘Maidan’ is on till the 30th of June at Koel Gallery, Karachi, so let yourself feel free to experience such depths visualised by some of the greatest artists.
