Sabiha Nasr-ud-Deen tries to evoke hope through latest exhibition ‘A Dialogue with Nature’

A solo exhibition featuring artworks by Sabiha Nasr-ud-Deen was inaugurated at the ARTCITI Gallery on Thursday.

Titled ‘A Dialogue with Nature’, the show was inaugurated by Senator Sarmad Ali.

Sabiha is a gold medallist from the Punjab University's fine arts department. She has been exhibiting her works at various venues in and outside Pakistan.

"I had a solo show while still a student at the Arts Council gallery—Gulgee wrote in my brochure—‘She will go a long way”. I hope I have fulfilled his confidence in me,” reads her introduction on the catalogue.

After her master's from the Punjab University in 1968, she joined the Arts Council where she taught drawing and painting alongside Ali Imam.

“Some of those who painted in my studio were Sadequain, Ahmed Pervaiz and Bashir Mirza. They became dear friends; the age gap was filled with camaraderie. Sadequain used to say that ‘my line was only second to his, but my colours were better’,” she said.

She said her works signified gratitude and hope. ‘A Dialogue with Nature’ is an attempt to bring forth landscapes and flowers in our homeland, she said, adding that in her works exhibited in the current show, she tried to record all that left a mark on her.

“In these troubled days, I hope my work gives the viewer a sense of pleasure and hope for a better future,” she said.

Her artworks contain images of trees and flowers from all over Pakistan. “There’s a connection between man and nature. Man is part of nature. When you feel depressed, upset then you go out in the garden and feel much better,” she said, adding that she had brought that feeling out through her paintings.

She said the colours in her paintings evoked hope and suggested that “everything is not gone.”

Her colours are bright and clear, while her paintings include some daring reds and yellow colors. The subject matter is mostly wood, lined with trees that run along the zigzag pathways, and the light is shown through the leaves of the silhouettes. Portraiture is used to depict the famous malangs of Sindh who seem to dance in rhythm.

The extended arm of the performing dancer adds to the balance of the figure, thus maintaining its equilibrium. Some of the portraits seem to be serious studies of acquaintances draped in appropriate apparel.

Here, the cheekbones have been hidden behind the thick shawl, with only the cartilage of the nose protruding through. The heavy turban casts a deep shadow over the face, giving a sense of a fourth dimension — that is, movement frozen on the canvas.

After inaugurating the exhibition, Ali spoke to the media and said Sabiha was a senior artist. He added that her exhibition was about hope, positivity and beauty.

He said that in an environment when we see despondency everywhere and feel darkness, these paintings are a breath of fresh air.

The show will continue till October 14.