Written by: Sana Shahid
Posted on: December 20, 2024 | 
Art has the uncanny ability to transport us beyond the boundaries of our daily lives, offering glimpses into realms we hardly recognize but innately feel. Nazia Ejaz’s “Ghosts of Place” at Tanzara Gallery in Islamabad invites the viewers on a similar transcendent journey. The exhibition is not just a display of artworks but rather a narrative taking a trip down memory lane, identity and collective human experience.
The color of forever
At the center of “Ghosts of Place” is a deep look at what makes a space feel important. For Ejaz, it is the stories; be they personal, cultural or historical, that give meaning to a space, turning it into something special. Her paintings feel alive, with layers that both reveal and hide memories. The artworks are bridging the gap between the real and an imaginary world. Ejaz’s paintings act like a time machine taking you to the reality of the 60s and 70s with the depiction of renowned celebrities like Audrey Hepburn and Frida Kahlo, while placing them alongside current icons such as Beyonce Banksy and many more. The artist has used a beautiful romance of opposites in the form of bright and soft colors, old and new, east and west and the play of light and shadow. The viewers are not just there to see the art but to connect with it, thinking about their memories of their favourite celebrities and the places that matter to them.
Blue light till dawn IV
Ejaz’s artistic process is itself a testament to her philosophy. Her work resembles a stained-glass window with a mosaic that filters light and shadow into moments of revelation. The use of repetitive patterns, shapes and gestures all come together to create unique compositions and realms. Each artwork becomes an open invitation to uncover new narratives, that the artist wants the world to see and unravel through her artworks.
Nazia Ejaz, the artist
“If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler – VIII’ is one of the spectacular works of the show as one can truly relate to its title. It’s a blend of all types of figures, male and female, clothes, patterns and tones, and shades of black and white. The artist has beautifully balanced the focus by maintaining the size and the overall appearance so that none of the paintings has more attraction than the other. They are equally eye-catching, making the viewer go through all of them one after another and observe the intricate details along the way. One of the figures is standing in the opposite direction holding a red balloon breaking the boundaries of the rectangular setting that all the figures are painted within. Even though this red is the only color used, other than black and white, it doesn’t take the attention away from the rest of the figures or their postures and gestures. Ejaz’s expertise in harmony and contrast is quite commendable as depicted in this piece and one can continuously reminisce through this for hours.
If on a Winter's Night a Traveler
“Songlines III and IV” and “Soundscapes” showcase her ability to balance the vivid with the subtle. The interplay of oil paints and gold leaf in “Fields of Gold II” or “Way Home II”, paints the canvases with a timeless quality as though they were artifacts of a dream. Here, color is more than a visual element; it is a language, a bridge across time and culture.
Fields of Gold II
Ejaz’s work is deeply personal, rooted in her journey across continents and cultures. Born in Lahore, she enhanced her craft at the National College of Arts before pursuing further studies at the Slade School of Art in London and the University of South Australia. Each phase of her education and career has left a deep-rooted mark on her practice, which is quite evident in the diversity and depth of her works. Having lived in Australia for 14 years before returning to Karachi, Ejaz embodies the themes of displacement and belonging that reflect her art. Her paintings are instilled with a universal resonance, capturing the echoes of every story she has encountered along the way.
The works on display are as varied in their techniques as they are unified in their purpose. The “Blue Light Till Dawn” series, with its meditative tones and intricate detailing, invites viewers to linger, to lose themselves in the quiet dialogue between light and shadow. “Dastaan Go”, with its smaller panels, feels intimate, almost confessional, each piece a whisper of a larger narrative.
Daastan Go
What sets “Ghosts of Place” apart is its ability to connect on a deeply emotional level. It speaks to the universality of storytelling, the way stories define people, connect and ground them. It also celebrates the unique way art can transcend linguistic boundaries, capturing truths that words often fail to express. As Ejaz herself puts it, her art is “a way of being.” It is alive, evolving and reflective of the human spirit’s resistance and creativity. Each canvas holds a deeper meaning than one can imagine and binds people.
The beauty of Ejaz’s work is that it leaves space for interpretation. She invites her audience to step into her world, but also to bring their own stories, shaping new meanings in the process. This openness makes “Ghosts of Place” more than an exhibition; it is an experience, one that lingers long after leaving the gallery. Listening to the ghost’s whisper, the echoing of the untold stories, and the silent connection of places is what makes the experience worth visiting.
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