Revisiting surrealism

16 works put on display at Canvas Art Gallery are a study in

the creative potential of the unconscious mind

With the mushrooming of art galleries in town, there’s a spate of art exhibitions purveying all forms of art.

One such exhibition opened at the Canvas Art Gallery on April 25, titled “Surrealism revisited with Shakil Saigol”.

The exhibition is all about surrealism and surreal situations.

In a nutshell, surrealism could be described as an imagery of dreams. It is an impetus to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind by the rational or irrational juxtaposition of images.

The sixteen works adorning the walls of the gallery are a study in the creative potential of the unconscious mind. There are three paintings dominated by Zebras. One of them, titled “Zebra Odyssey”, shows three zebras huddling together with a human form entangled among them.

Similarly, another sketch, titled “Zebra Phantasma”, depicts three chimpanzees poised on a tree with a big Zebra dominating the scenario. Both are oils-on-canvas.

Then there are two works, titled “Cobweb Memories”, each of them depicting very shapely female forms in a contemplative position surrounded all over by cobwebs. These, presumably, are the cobwebs of complex thoughts that we have to live with in our daily lives, thoughts which are a manifestation of our unfulfilled desires and fears, for which we may not have the words to describe them.

Another one depicts a shapely female figure attired in a kind of lingerie floating through a field of lotuses, as if negotiating her way through them. It is a way of transposing dreams on a canvas. It is titled “Negotiating the ocean wilderness”.

What is most noticeable about Saigol’s works is his ability to depict the female form in a really winsome manner, especially his work, titled “Ocean Nymph”, showing a female amid a field of lotuses.

Saigol has returned to surrealism after thirty years. Says Saigol, “The imagery that lay dormant deep within has again found wings and I have allowed my imagination to take over. New concepts and riotous colours are escaping from the inner recesses of my mind and manifesting themselves on canvas and on paper.”

Saigol’s paintings are represented in various collections in Pakistan, India, the UK, the USA, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and the UAE.

The exhibition runs up until May 4.