Written by: Shahnawaz Ramay
Posted on: November 29, 2021 | 
| 中文
Parwaz Rumi by Shah Abdullah Alamee
Tanzara Art Gallery has opened its doors to visitors to experience poetry in a form seldom seen. Shah Abdullah Alamee’s solo exhibition, “Mauzu-e-Sukhan” (theme of speech), attempts to meld the poetry of Faiz and Rumi into a meditative and serene experience for the viewers. While explaining his process, Alameee said “I feel this is a collaboration between three artists instead of one”.
Shah Abdullah hails from Quetta and currently practices in Lahore. A graduate of fine arts from the acclaimed National College of Arts, he is the recipient of the prestigious Haji Shareef Award. With international and national exhibitions under his belt, he has pursued a teaching career at notable institutions across the country. In this exhibition, he attempts to combine Faiz and Rumi’s profound and inspirational messages through his artistic sensibilities. Using a style of Persian calligraphy called “Siyah Mashq”, which means rough practice, he has created glorious compositions.
Shah Abdullah Alamee (Credits to Kiran Fatima)
Opening to a well-lit and cool art gallery, the stark white canvases with strokes of black, ocher, brown, turquoise, and crimson greet the viewer. Abdullah’s masterful strokes enable the viewer to enter a state of trance, since the giant canvases displaying an aura of vastness. The sheer magnitude of the canvases belies a feeling of finality.
Daricha Marghum Charami Ifkanyd Izchi Akhar Teshana Khoon Mound by Shah Abdullah Alamee
The calligraphy is masterfully treated, which implies that the artist has being trained in calligraphy. Surprisingly though, he is a miniature artist. Upon close inspection of the paintings, one can see the truth behind this claim. The strokes are a combination of multiple ones, even though they appear as one. Each stroke is treated to a unique hue and saturation. Every turn, angle, and pressure is carefully manipulated and applied to create various textures and depths which speak volumes to the artist's drive and passion to emulate the feelings often associated with Faiz and Rumi.
Dagh Dagh Ujala Faiz by Shah Abdullah Alamee
“I did not want to overpower what the poetry means to me or the world, therefore I have used this specific technique to demonstrate the amalgamation and melding of poetry and painting”, said Abdullah as he guided visitors through the gallery. The centerpiece titled “Surkh Awal E Shaam - Faiz” was a two-piece painting, emblazoned with gold foil. The stark black and crimson lent it a somber air that combined Faiz and Rumi in a singular masterful stroke. A sprawling canvas, which speaks of the earth and sky with a subtle hue of turquoise, was placed right next to it. Standing close to the canvas led to the realization that it is similar to a tectonic map. The twisting hues, saturations, and texture create an inexplicable applied art rendition of the poetry that inspired Shah Abdullah. Another painting titled “Darchai Margam Chirami Afkanid - Rumi” stood out the most. Multiple washes create a dizzying array of words, letters, and phrases, that reflect solidity and individuality while they simultaneously emulate Faiz and Rumi’s much taught philosophies. Upon asking the timeframe for each piece, Shah Abdullah explained that for some pieces he would have to wait a day or two for the wash to completely dry in order to proceed.
Surkh Awal Sham Faiz by Shah Abdullah Alamee
While speaking to the guests, the curator of the gallery, Noshi Qadir, said that “Abdullah’s painting corroborates the fact that Islamic tradition venerates the beauty of the written word above all other forms of embellishment. Taking Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Rumi’s poetry as an inspiration, he expresses his own interpretation of the written word. His word exudes a quiet grandeur whilst the smooth and elongated calligraphic strokes flow into strong visual compositions. The use of gold leaf along with Siyah Mashq on these vast surfaces creates an atmosphere of ease and calm which brings about a meditative experience”.
The exhibition truly encapsulates the expertise and training Shah Abdullah has acquired over his career as a fine artist. His solo show allows the viewer to understand his craft and Shah Abdullah’s immense control over his ink and canvas. His use of ethereal hues and textures lend motion and feeling and help avoid monotony and repetition. Even the blacks are not pure black, which demonstrates the depth of Faiz and Rumi’s poetry. The exhibition is a testament to the essence and aesthetic of the poetry that corroborates the artist’s own. By using multiple elements, sepia tones, and strokes, Shah Abdullah perfectly captures the journey of self and the journey of selflessness.
Visitors inside the gallery (Credits to Kiran Fatima)
The exhibition is open till 15th December, from 11:30 am to 7:00 pm.
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