Written by: Hira Shah
Posted on: September 24, 2018 | 
| 中文
The Pollinators by Noormah Jamal
Artistic work in Pakistan often focuses on human complexity as its main subject; the reason being that since time immemorial, human beings have had a multifaceted relationship with their self as well as others. An exhibition that recently took place at O Art Space, Lahore, titled Tarhun: The Beautiful-The Bizarre, was concerned with the complexity of human nature, at its core. Noormah Jamal & Hoor Imad’s works take inspiration from the beautiful facades of human beings, distorted by their inner eccentricity. Tarhun, a Pushto word, implies the linkage that can be seen amidst these two aspects of human nature.
Noormah Jamal, a graduate of NCA, through her 8 paintings (& a collection of sculptural busts) focuses on the labyrinthine personality, which seamlessly undergoes the process of metamorphosis at both personal as well as public level. Her paintings like The Pollinators, They Call Us the Seasoned Lovers and Young & Tragic, express at various levels how human identity can shift and morph into something entirely new, and is vividly depicted through the choice of colors, composition and figures.
On the contrary, Hoor Imad Sherpao, also an alum of NCA, paints only female figurines who take up most of the space on the canvas. While highlighting both the beautiful and the bizarre, she exquisitely paints the emotion and tension of her subject, creating a contrast which is rarely seen otherwise. Inspired by Pre-Raphaelite paintings and Mughal Miniatures, Sherpao beautifully uses gold in her paintings, to give an opulent look to her works titled Aureus, Aurum, Carneus & Roseus.
Although the compositional sensibility of both artists is poles apart, thematically their focus is that the beautiful & bizarre simultaneously exist in human beings. Moreover, the Sacred Series of sculptural busts by Noormah compels the viewer to question the very definition of beauty, as delineated by our society.
"The secret of ugliness consists not in irregularity, but in being uninteresting,” said Ralph Waldo Emerson. Noormah’s series is a testament to how the seemingly ugly can also be fascinatingly beautiful on closer inspection.
Both the artists portray the peculiarity of the human form in such a fiery way, that one cannot help feel the impact. Much the same as William Blake’s paintings, each work of art contains sundry symbols which require a deeper understanding in order to be thoroughly relished. The contrast amidst the poker faced expressions and the ornate clothing of the female figures in Sherpao’s paintings, is striking to say the least. Meanwhile, the meaning behind the simple compositions of Noormah’s paintings isn’t really quite as simple, and so each one holds a whole world within.
The two person show provided viewers with a strange reality to empathize with, but only if they made an effort to read between the lines. It beautifully explored our relationship with self, as well as others. This wonderfully curated show was indeed a treat for art enthusiasts, providing much food for thought!
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