Written by: Nayha Jehangir Khan
Posted on: June 24, 2022 | 
| 中文
Embrace (Diptych) by Ali Murtaza
The poetic undertones of the dual gallery group exhibition titled “Well, Come Back Home” was developed through an exchange between the curator and the artists. When embarking on this curatorial quest, Shanal Kazi sent out a poem she had authored to artists inviting them to respond to the verses and various themes that she had penned. The display is an expansive showcasing of figurative, abstract and modern paintings, drawing works, sculptures and installation art coming together as a collective reflection on feelings of nostalgia, memory, displacement, belonging and attachment. Focusing on the ephemeral nature of time and life, the exhibition display includes verses from the curator’s poem that have been directly included as stenciled text on the walls accompanying the works. The exhibition includes works from 60 artists hailing from all over the country. Koel Gallery and Full Circle Gallery are together hosting over 150 artworks and are within walking distance from each other, making it possible for viewers to see both spaces in one visit.
Art enthusiasts looking at an art piece at Koel Gallery.
The perceptions of each artist are unique, as we walk along with the closely hung paintings at Full Circle Gallery, the subjective psychological investigations appear to be confrontational or deliberately alienating. There are several sections to explore within the gallery space, designed to emote distinct energies guiding the viewer into various phases of reflection. The intimate space has an immediacy as works are overlapping and crossing each other, which purposely overwhelms the viewer. A series of portraits, miniatures, doodle drawings, figurative paintings and installation pieces surround the viewer until they begin to merge into one organism. The close-knit nature of the exhibit forces the viewer to closely examine multiple works simultaneously, simulating a surge of complex psychological responses followed by an emotional release. As we move to Koel Art Gallery, visitors are welcomed by an open hall space immediately feeling meditative and calm with works deeply diving into mark-making, classical oil painting, abstract geometry and modern miniatures. The group exhibition is a testament to the wide spectrum of mediums and techniques used by the artists, and the diversity in their metaphorical visual language surrounding the theme of home.
Relationship I by Danish Shivani
Striking images of nonrepresentational line and form, push the viewer into an internal dialogue with their subconscious. Ayessha Quraishi’s “Temporary Homes Cast Temporary Shadows”, is a meticulously detailed composition that uses spatial motifs that constantly engage the direction of the eye. Danish Shivani's “Relationship I & II” use natural elements, such as lentils or thorns as pieces of collage creating manuscript-esque compositions that are closer to the techniques of heritage weaving. The charged brush strokes in Kaiser Irfan’s paintings titled “Arrival/Departure”, “Absolute Drivel”, “Culture Shock” and “Concrete Fever Dream” have a charged sense of movement that propels the viewer into a psychological state within themselves.
Concrete Fever Dream by Kaisar Irfan
Some artists have taken a tactile approach to discover new innovative techniques for creating modern collages. Hafsa Jamshed in “It Reflecting Ruins ll”, uses ceramic tiles to create a quirky and fun mosaic piece with a classical miniature figure at the centre, but broken up caricatures and fragmented floral patterns to colour the background. Storytelling here is the primary focus, keeping the central figure as the focal point of the composition, Similarly, Haniya Ali Athar in “Lokdaastaan”, uses Aquatint on paper to create a series depicting a female protagonist caught between a long braid of hair. The thick symbolism paired with a graphic novella of strips capturing different moments of the story unfolding, and creating a sense of tension within the composition. In Changez Khan’s “PLASTIC BLISS”, the viewer cannot help but be attracted by the bright red pool of resin holding together toys affixed into an heirloom emblem.
Lokdaastaan 1 by Haniya Ali Athar
In Amerzish Khalid’s painting, there is an epic apocalyptic storm on the horizon with two celestial portraits in profile facing each other, and presiding over the quiet shore where a solitary figure with her back toward the viewer faces the sea. The colours are moody and sombre, indicating this landscape is the emotional depiction of what is happening within the central figure of the painting. While Khalid’s painting was melancholic, Maliha Matin’s “Gimme 5 mins” has an electrifying blue-toned figure wearing a bright yellow shirt detailed with intricate embroidery stitching. Next to the figure is a stuffed toy with an almost human-like presence, signifying the subject's internal state to be paralysed and vacant.
Gimme 5 mins by Maliha Matin
The frenetic energy of a doodle can reflect the inner struggle, helplessness and emotional vulnerability of the artist, this internal language finds its way to paper through the movement seen in the line work and mark making in Ali Murtaza’s series of works titled “Revelation”, “Melody” “Control (Diptych)” and “Embrace (Diptych)”. Using found material as a drawing medium is part of Rameez Abdul Rehman’s practice. His work “Feeling Alive”, is an investigation of how light is reflected and fractured through broken pieces of mirror and glass. By throwing light on a collage drawing that depicts a man welcoming the open waves of the sea, a projection is created on the opposite wall simulating a tidal wave crashing onto the figure.
Untitled by Amerzish Khalid
The curator specified that the exhibition has two explorative directions for the artist, one is “Well, Come Back Home” which is a call to action from Kazi to the artists resulting in “Welcome back home” which is the formulation of visual manifestations experienced by the artist upon receiving the call. Participating artists include Aadil Saleh, Adnan Ali Manganhar, Ahsan Hayat, Ali Murtaza, Amerzish Khalid, Anushka Rustomji, Arham Bin Asif, Attiya Zahra, Awais Naqvi, Ayessha Quraishi, Ayesha Naeem, Ayesha Waseem, Bazil Habib, Changez Khan, Danish Shivani, Duraeshawar Tariq, Emaan Pirzada, Esha Rashid, Fariha Fatima, Hafsa Jamshed, Hamail Bukhari, Hamza Qazi, Haniya Ali Athar, Hassan Sheikh, Irfan Abdullah, Isra Noman, Jahanzaib Akmal, Kaiser Irfan, Kalsoom Iftikhar, Kashif Ahmed, Laiba Abid, Lujane Pagganwala, Maham Qureshi, Mahwish Khan, Mahwish Shaukat, Maliha Matin, Mariya Shaikh, Meerish Khan, Momina Hassan, Nimra Shoaib, Onaiz Taji, Ozair Mansoor, Rabbiya Ilyas, Rabia Mohsin, Rafeh Kiani, Rameez Abdul Rehman, Ramsha Shaheryar, Robella Ahmad, Ruqaia Abdul Aziz, Sabir Ali Talpur, Sajid Ali Talpur, Salman Hunzai, Sammi Gul, Sannia Bilal, Sundas Azfer, Syed Arsalan Naqvi, Syeda Warda Batool, Alishba Memon, Wasifa Ayaz Chughtai, Yumna and Zunaira Sultan.
“Well, Come Back Home” will continue until the 28th of June at Koel Gallery and Full Circle Gallery, Karachi.
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