ISLAMABAD: Works reflecting the richness and beauty of the northern regions were exhibited at the Pakistan National Arts Council (PNCA).
The paintings in the group show, titled The Golden Hour, act as a window through which the viewer can view landscapes by Naran, Hunza, Passu, and Babusar, among others.
Organized and curated by the Nomad Gallery in collaboration with the PNCA, the exhibition was opened by Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood.
“I’m not surprised to see such amazing artists as Pakistan has a huge talent. What they need is an opportunity and a conducive environment to exhibit their art, ”he said, adding that it must have been amazing for the 15 painters to paint the landscapes while they were actually in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The paintings are the result of an artists’ summer camp organized by the administration of an art school in Peshawar.
Sajid Ali, who runs the school, said: “We organize trips to various parts of the country, mainly Britain, where artists feel the environment and paint them, take pictures and also do paintings in paintings. studios. “
Senior artist and architect Naeem Pasha was impressed with the landscape paintings, textures, lines and color combination used.
Responding to a question, Mr. Ali and his wife Kiran dispelled the misconception that KP was an “orthodox anti-art” society. The presence of artists in such numbers in the province proves that the people of KP want peace and display the message of love through their art, they said.
Landscape painters Ajab Khan and Tariq Mahmood agreed with Sajid’s views.
We organize trips not only to the northern regions but also to the southern port city of Pakistan. We are contributing and bearing all the costs out of pocket, they said.
The works were seen by a jury comprising the artist and art critics Quddus Mirza, Naeem Pasha and Nageen Hyat.
The first prize with Rs 40,000 was awarded to Ajab Khan while the second and third prize with Rs 20,000 each went to Tahir Bilal Ummi and Sanobar respectively. Certificates of appreciation of 10,000 rupees each were presented to 12 other artists.
Mr Khan said the prizes belong to all artists as there is no competition between them.
The importance of contemporary art in Pakistan is difficult to measure and crucial to recognize, said Nageen Hyat, curator and founding director of the Nomad Gallery.
“Art can open our eyes to the complexity and beauty of the natural world. It can simply be a painting that appreciates nature for what it is or it can be a stimulating piece expressing our complex human connection to nature, ”she said.
The summer camp is an annual program for senior and emerging artists as well as art enthusiasts to come together, connect, practice and promote art.
Artists who have participated in the program include Ali Sajid, Arif Ansari, Ajab Khan, Tariq Mehmood, Bashir Haider, Sadia Arif, Shahzad Siyal, Danish Khan, Shaima Umar, Mohammad Hafeez, Faruq Siyal, Abid Zaman, Qazi Amanullah, Sanober and Tahir Bilal.
The show will continue until January 10 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except Saturdays).
Posted in Dawn, January 6, 2022
