Written by: Jovita Alvares
Posted on: April 21, 2022 | 
| 中文
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South Asia is a hot pot for a multitude of cultures and beliefs. Over time we have seen an intermingling and overlapping of cuisines, art, and other cultural aspects that give us a new blend of art, literature and music within the Subcontinent. This collage of different cultures is due to some extent to the cultural influence of the European colonizers.
Today, while living in a post-colonial era, we can still see the influences of our colonial ancestry present in our food, architecture, education and even our politics. These ideas can all be seen in the works of Shoaib Mahmood in his latest exhibition, ‘Same as That’
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Shoaib Mahmood is an artist and educator who majored in Miniature Painting from the National College of Arts, Lahore, followed by receiving a graduate degree from Punjab University. He has displayed his work both nationally and internationally, including a solo exhibition in New Delhi, India in 2008. The artist is currently a resident of Lahore and serves as a permanent faculty member at the College of Art and Design, Punjab University.
Mahmood explains that the work displayed is a reflection of the ever-evolving state of our cultural and religious traditions. This, he says, is due in large part to the introduction of technology into our lives.
This is reflected in his work. The South Asian culture is known for being bright and colorful. There is always the adornment of figures with precious stones and a multitude of colors. However, in the case of Mahmood’s work, the color appears more subdued, and the textile prints are more modern.
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While Mahmood paints portraits of Mughal emperors, recognized only by the placement of clothing, the figure itself is removed and all that can be essentially seen is a black background. This is an interesting angle the artist takes, for though he attributes these changes to technology, one can’t help but think about how religion itself also influences culture.
Certain religions do not encourage the recreation of people, and this is what comes to mind when seeing the absentee figures in Mahmood’s work. The artist incorporates text as more of an art form, with the addition of calligraphy, and within each piece, the text conforms to the surrounding painting thereby adding to its overall aesthetic.
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Another interpretation of the black background comes from the idea that the present and future of the world seem rather dark and bleak. With technology, life has become so fast-paced that one does not have the time to stop and live in the present.
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Moving towards the artist’s skill one can’t help but be excited and amazed at the work placed before them. Mahmood shows considerable dexterity when it comes to creating his miniature work. It is interesting to see that not only does he paint in the traditional Mughal Miniature style, he also incorporates elements from the tradition, namely the depictions of Mughal figures.
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Despite the absence of bodies, one understands who the figures are, and this is due to the clever placement of weapons and clothing by the artist. The addition of the headgear and shoes also adds to the viewer filling in the gap of the figure beneath.
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By removing the Mughal figures from their original backgrounds, Mahmood re-contextualizes the whole narrative. No longer are these figures part of a collection of illustrations that dictate their lives and conquests, but rather now have become symbols for something more. Now they are simply examples of what has been continuously happening to the cultural traditions around us. Some are lost or slowly dying, while others are modernized to look new and different to fit into the norm of present-day society.
All in all, the work is a reflection of what our life is like in the present. With the introduction of technology, everything has changed and will continue to do so. Some of its effects may be good, while others not so.
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