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    Art Review: Drawing Room Diamonds-Anti-art, Anti-curation, Anti-collection

    Written by: Hamad Ali
    Posted on: November 14, 2019 |

    (L & R) Art by Maria Khan and (Centre) Art by Ali Kazim

    “The beginnings of Dada were not the beginnings of art, but of disgust,” explained poet and first-wave Dadaist, Tristan Tzara. From 1914 through 1918, World War I was responsible for death and devastation on an unprecedented scale, due to technological advances that exponentially increased the conflict’s brutality. Disillusioned by society’s barbaric state, a group of like-minded intellectuals banded together to declare a war on modernity and the new 20th Century society. A century later, exasperated by the exclusionary art circle of Karachi, a mysterious figure named Champa assembled a group of intellectuals in an attempt to dissect and satirize the conventional, often elitist practices within the city’s art scene.

    ‘Drawing Room Diamonds’, curated by Emaan Mahmud (Champa), opened at Sanat Initiative on November 8th. The observations and overheard conversations that Mahmud encountered during her art school juries and career has resulted in a series of faceless characters, that are as vain as they are wealthy. These ‘socially conscious socialites’ discuss whether the artworks are pretty enough to be a part of their drawing rooms. Every now and then, they would use terms like ‘revolution’, ‘open-minded’, and ‘gaze’ without taking into account their meanings and terminologies.

    Mahmud’s show attempts institutional critique that breaks away from the conventions of curation, pretty art, and exhibition etiquette. One could call it anti-curation, anti-art, and anti-exhibition. 20 artists, emerging and established, joined forces and wits to dismantle themselves and the politics of their practice.

    The scale of Muhammad Zeeshan's piece, titled “Biennale Friendly Art”, was massive. It was just enough to fit Mazhar Fakhar (one of the socially conscious socialite)’s drawing room. One couldn't have missed the presence and humor of the work. Using his expertise in laser cutting and butterfly motifs, Zeeshan used the same technique to make a beautiful formation of butterflies. Beautiful, isn't it?

    Biennale Friendly Art by Muhammad Zeeshan

    While the gold and glitter adds luster and wealth to the piece, Zeeshan’s work is never just shallow and pretty. His octaptych formation of frames is disordered, and one feels uneasy looking at it for a long period of time. This offers an interesting idea that only the superficial would want to keep something as uncomfortable as this piece in their drawing rooms.

    Mohsin Shafi made pretty art for Dr. Molly's drawing room. His art used luster and prints, gold and repeat patterns, to placate the collector's gaze, whilst also making a statement. “Where in Your Mind” asks a very valid question, “Where in your mind do you hang art pieces that you can’t buy?” Anti-art in its essence and anti-collector in its parlance, this piece appealed to a mass audience who did not belong to the niche circle of collectors, nor have any interest in doing so.

    Where in Your Mind by Mohsin Shafi

    Similarly, “Wish to Be a Miniaturist” satirizes the production, reception, and romanticization of miniature art. This piece aspires to be a collector’s item, but since it’s not from the 15th century, no one wants to buy it to adorn their drawing room walls, despite its use of similar techniques. Atif Khan’s miniature prints raise questions around replication of this skillful art form, taking away the skill and feeling of a collector’s item from them, leaving the collectors to ponder over its value.

    Art by Cyra Ali

    Cyra Ali’s not so apparent explicit forms appeal to a wide array of audience, but one can’t un-see explicit images and sexually charged images in the leaf forms. It makes the socially conscious socialites question the lack of reproductive healthcare for sexually active women. But does this qualify as a drawing room diamond? Maria Khan’s wrinkled woman in torn undergarments doesn’t look pretty, neither does Munawar Ali Syed’s manipulation of magazine covers. This makes the show a successful attempt at anti-art, through the act of using popular techniques and symbols to challenge ideas of beauty and aesthetics.

    New Story by Munawar Ali Syed

    Mahmud’s curatorial debut is her attempt at practicing neo-Dadaism in modern day. The show gathered 75 works from some of the best artists in the country, and clustered them together on the walls, so as to take away the liberty for each work to breathe. They were in-your-face, overwhelming and thoroughly entertaining. The show is open till 28th November.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021