Artistic treat: Valentine’s Art Show allows visitors to pick exquisite gifts

KARACHI: For those who are still indecisive about what gift to buy for their loved ones this Valentine’s Day, Grandeur Art Gallery in Zamzama may offer some help. Women, traditions and poetry are incorporated into the artworks of 10 prominent Pakistani artists who are featuring their work at the Valentine’s Art Show. The gallery owner, Neshmia Ahmed, said that the event was an annual show and usually held on February 14. “I decided to hold the show on February 13 this year because everyone is busy with their loved ones on Valentine’s Day. This exhibition will allow people to buy gifts for their loved ones,” she added. The show is displaying artworks of Omar Farid, Ather Jamal, Wahab Jaffer, Mashkoor Raza, Akram Spaul, Abrar Ahmad, AS Rind, Sadiq Hussain, Inam Raja and Farrukh Shahab. “The show doesn’t really tie-in with Valentine’s Day,” confided Ahmed. “I did ask the artists to try to stick to the theme, but only some have complied.” Pointing at the paintings, she said, “Raza and Jaffer have stuck to the theme. Both of their paintings are bursting with red. All artists are prominent, so even if some did not stick to the theme, having their work is an honour in itself.” Portraying women in vibrant colours, Rind said he had painted in his usual style. “I usually paint women. My palette is Rajasthan and Cholistan, and the colors are bright and rich.” Gesturing towards his work, he said, “There’s no hidden meaning. I just want people to see my paintings and feel better. It is art for art. In these times, we [artists] need to paint something just to make people feel better. I often seek inspiration from Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s poetry. I’ve added flowers, the red ones, in the painting for this occasion. They have made the paintings even brighter.” Pointing towards another painting at the gallery, one that is not for sale, Rind said, “This painting is thematic. The eyes of a woman are sewn shut in the painting and it represents our traditions. Though we have many good traditions in Pakistan, this painting is representative of the traditions that are misused.” The gallery was full of paintings of women, from Raza’s bright red depictions to Raja’s brown hues. Art lovers admired the work with soft appreciative murmurs. The artists also mingled with the crowd, speaking about their own work and commenting on that of the others. The show will continue on till February 23. Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2014.