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    Art Review: Artificial Sensations by Jovita Alvares

    Written by: Areej Ahmed
    Posted on: August 01, 2022 | | 中文

    Through Blossoms I and Jovita Alvares

    Artificial Sensations by Jovita Alvares is an eye into the extreme urbanization of Karachi. When we hear the words “Artificial Sensations”, the first thing that comes to mind is a manipulation of some sort, a feeling that is not real, a facade to cover up something deeper. This work explores how buildings upon buildings are being constructed, an ever-expanding jungle of dreary concrete structures all around us. These structures give rise to hyper security, barbed wires and spotlights. In front of those barbed wires are a form of superficial beauty that is misleading to our eyes, trying to hide the reality of the grim and gray tones of the city by masking it all with the bougainvillea blossoms which act as a creeper covering the ugliness behind it.

    Obscure II

    Jovita Alvares graduated from Indus Valley in 2016 with a Bachelor in Fine Arts, she was a Valedictorian of her class. She is a talented and an established artist, who has received many awards, one of which is the Imran Mir Art Prize in 2017. She was also part of the 4th Sanat Art Residency, and she regularly does group shows in Karachi, Lahore, Dubai, and London. She is also a frequent writer for local publications and frequently holds artist's talks.

    Her practice revolves around documentation of everyday life and the evolving urban spaces in Karachi. This series showcased at Chawkandi Art gallery gives a very strong and beautiful insight into the ugliness that this city is becoming. The bougainvillea blossom is an ubiquitous symbol represented in all of her pieces to show a form of unity. In some cultures, this plant is meant to promote peace, but in this case it brings its unique meaning to the table. It sounds like a contradiction to the plant's nature for it is used to spread its thorny bushes to hide the grim truth of this chaotic city and its overwhelming development.

    Through Blossoms II

    The artist has explored digital montages with cutwork paper in many of her pieces, juxtaposing moments from her videography and taking out still images to create the digital montages, composed in the form of a kaleidoscope which is then covered with a veil of the cutout bougainvillea in a very subtle but a beautiful manner. Through the cutouts the artist decides what she wants her viewers to see, because they act as a grill or a window into the reality of our world and hints at the need for change. Another kaleidoscopic image is created from her still photos of the security barriers that we see ever so often, but one has to closely understand the image either at close range or from a short distance, to create their perception of it.

    Veil II

    An artist's job is to give their message of how they view the world, and the viewer decides what they think the artist is trying to say. In most of the artworks displayed here, the message is very clear and simple. Relatability helps a viewer feel more connected to the artwork, and Jovita’s work does precisely that. When we see her work, we see our daily commute and those bougainvillea plants are also a common sight that she has portrayed, only we do not give it much thought unlike the artist. Artists notice the little things and turn them into an eye-opening experience by shining light on the problems we face.

    Obscure I

    Her artwork is inspired by William Morris, who was a part of the Arts and Craft movement, fighting against the Victorian notions of industrialization. Jovita's work is insightful and thought-provoking, and highlights the fact that urbanization can be harmful to society and its people. The natural greenery and environment are being disturbed, disrupted and distorted. Reclaimed lands are taking over the seaside, and the little beauty that Karachi had left is also being demolished into what is described as “development”. Why are we all ignoring these facts and slowly letting Karachi be taken over by mass structures and artificial spaces? As the people of Karachi, we have to speak up against all that is slowly destroying our environment.

    Concrete Blooms III

    ‘Artificial Sensations’ opened on the 26th of July at Chawkandi Art Gallery in Karachi, and will continue till 4th of August, 2022.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021









    Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir



    Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir, 27 October 1947, when Indian military troops forcibly occupied Kashmir illegally, claiming a fraudulent ‘Instrument of Accession’ which never existed as documented by eminent British historian Alastair Lamb! Kashmir & Palestine are examples of illegal occupation & continued Resistance to Repression! There are so many commonalities in Kashmir & Palestine: both under brutal military occupation of foreign powers, both are facing an indigenous, popular, spontaneous & widespread Resistance & Uprising, both are in violation of UN Resolutions which haven’t been implemented, both are witnessing an attempted change in the demographic balance, both are facing the use of rape as a weapon of war, both are testimony to double-standards & hypocrisy of Western powers on human rights & fundamental rights, and both conflicts have an element of racism and Islamophobia, while enduring peace, security and stability will remain elusive in both regions, South Asia & Middle East, until these issues are resolved in accordance with popular aspirations.