‘My work is dedicated to all women of this world’

A solo show, ‘Versatile Beauty’, is currently on at Clifton’s Full Circle Art Gallery until June 8.

Based on 20 exhibits by artist Mariya Shaikh, the show is a mixture of surrealism and abstractism, but a beautiful study in colouring techniques. Shaikh, it can be safely said, is a lyrical colourist indeed.

For her theme, the artist has women. As she says, “Since women play the main character in everyday happenings and are the indispensable element in the building of any society, they have always been the subject of my paintings.” True to this notion, her works are a reflection of all the noble attributes synonymous with women. 

One of her works, an acrylic-and-pigment on canvas, shows two women communicating with each other from a distance. The work is titled ‘Sisterhood’. As she says, her works are “figurative” and “representational”. So it is left up to the viewer to determine the theme of the piece. However, what makes it really profound is the beautiful colouring scheme, one that casts nature in surreal beauty. “Sisters may be as diverse as the sun and the moon but the same blood flows through their hearts,” Shaikh explains in her artist statement.

Then there’s the portrait, in the same surrealistic colour scheme, of a woman with emphasis on her eyes and a note below the work that says, “A woman must be seen from her eyes because they are the gateway to her heart”.  

It is a profound comment, indeed.

All 20 works on display are a thought-provoking commentary on womanhood.

She says in her statement, “Inspired by women and places in my life; and those I saw in my dreams, these visuals highlight positive image and inner beauty of women with main focus on their hidden powers and potentialities. 

Her spirit for the search of true love, her responsibilities as an active member of society in the form of a mother, sister, wife and daughter; her wisdom and braveness to attain what she desires; and her passion to explore sincere company have been continuous sources of encouragement for my paintings.”

Actually, it is pleasantly surprising to see Shaikh come up with such philosophical themes, as she is a graduate in textile design from the Institute of Art and Design, University of Sindh, Jamshoro. “My work is dedicated to all women of this world. I believe that women are the most versatile beauty in the whole world,” the artist adds in her statement. 

The young – born in 1992 – Hyderabad-based artist has a brilliant record, having had a solo exhibition at that young age and has been a regular part of groups shows, almost 15 of them. 

The exhibition is a must-see for the philosophically inclined. Gallery timings during Ramazan will be 11am to 4pm.