Written by: Muhammad Hamza
Posted on: August 19, 2024 | 
Missing by Kiran Waseem
In this art exhibition at O Art Space, two abstract artists showcased their intricate language through their respective mediums, finding new meaning in soft textures and colors. There was a blend of abstraction in night-blurred landscapes and rhythmic patterns made from gesso-textured paintwork. We shall delve into this in more detail, starting with Kiran Waseem.
A motion painter who explores fluidity, Kiran Waseem creates visuals that resemble foggy, nostalgic memories. She paints these washed-up strokes on aluminum sheets with oil paints, which dry to a blurred texture, giving the viewer a turbid sight.
Kiran has explored the effects of oil paints on aluminum, etching out patterns that often depict landscapes or more commonly, the nightscape of an abandoned street with a streetlamp. It is evident that the artist is showcasing the colors of night, creating what seems like a winter’s dreamland.
The series “Bygone”, by Miss Waseem, is the highlight of her exhibition here at the gallery. It captures all the attention as it confines the eye within a surreal landscape, softly giving glimpses and glances to the viewer. The patches where the aluminum sheet is visible are the charm of this series, as the paint fades to reveal the depth on which she has drawn the shadows of a dark night.
Bygone Series II by Kiran Waseem
The transcendental nature of these paintings can be seen as either a physical or metaphorical translation of metaphysical evidence in motion. The artworks are the most surreal in showcasing the depth of a dreamlike image, creating a street scene with an abandoned walker moving through the shadows of the night. It feels as if one immerses themselves in such weary visuals, and the aluminum background perfectly complements these frames.
These images, if not seen but felt, resemble pictures taken while moving in a car or running. Kiran has mastered the art of recreating such moments, allowing viewers to dive into the depths of these fleeting glimpses. “Transitory” is a core example of the technique Kiran uses, where the brushstrokes end in a fade, much like dreams that lack direction or end, evolving into a fog-like, muffled cloud that becomes the focus of our thoughts. The painting embodies the depth and intensity of a foggy nightscape. Although the colors might have suited a sunset sky, the painting’s music-driven strokes and Kiran’s singing contribute to the fluidity of the artwork, creating an endless abyss where dreams meet creation.
Transitory by Kiran Waseem
An abstract practitioner, Sara Riaz Khan applies thick blobs of paint to the canvas, using gesso to craft textures for the final outcome. Her work offers a surreal psychedelic experience, as if the artwork is part of a larger mosaic-like binary code.
Adventure by Sara Riaz Khan
Sara has explored thematic fiction influenced by a life event, leading to the production of her unique works. The guided layers of paint and in-depth imagery make her artworks intriguing. Viewers are invited to feel the textured surface of the canvas, where the paint melts in blobs, resembling malignant cell divisions. Her style represents a unique tie-dye effect, with colors blending harmoniously to form rhythmic patterns.
Sara’s work reflects the worldly rhythm of emotions as seen through musical patterns in waves. While her vibrant colors could have been toned down for a more nuanced effect, the dried gesso blobs still convey lyrical content. Sara’s series explores emotions stemming from personal crises, similar to how Mark Rothko used vivid colors to evoke self-reflection and vulnerability.
Courage (detail) by Sara Riaz Khan
An expression is a form of self-realization. At times, an artist transcends the traditional rules of painting, and Sara’s series exemplifies exploration beyond just paint and canvas.
This exhibition represents the epitome of abstraction, with both artists demonstrating unique styles and creating a collection beyond traditional aesthetics. In the post-modern world, abstraction offers audiences a chance to experience emotions on a broader scale, particularly when presented in multidimensional mediums. Abstraction serves as a powerful form of expression when executed well. It helps us to understand the notion of life by piecing together and interpreting our lingering memories, ultimately allowing us to create a language of our own. We all create personal abstract expressions, sometimes requiring us to think and move according to the directions we set for ourselves, forming an abstract representation of life.
From Here to There by Sara Riaz Khan
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