556 paintings, 140 sculptures put on display at PNCA

Islamabad: The Minister of State for information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Mariyam Aurangzeb inaugurated the 9th National Art Exhibition at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) here on Tuesday evening.

The ninth grand art show is dedicated to the nine legendary artists of Pakistan including Ahmed Khan, Bashir Ahmad, Colin David (Late), Hajra Mansur, Ijaz ul Hassan, Mansur Rahi, Iqbal Geofrey, Saeed Akhtar and Zulqarnain Haider.

As many as 556 paintings and 140 sculptures and installations by 384 artists from all over the country were put on display that attracted a huge number of art lovers. These works were selected from the regional exhibitions that PNCA organised during the last several months. The themes of the regional exhibitions were quite different his time namely From Mehergarh to Quetta, From Harappa to Lahore via Katas, From Akra to Peshawar via Takht Bai, From Mohenjo-Daro to Karachi via Makli, and From Takhtbai to Islamabad.

All the exhibits though reflect the creativity and versatility but they also have reflection of regional cultural signatures. Every school of thought and style of painting is well represented in the exhibition. From impressionist style to surrealist landscapes, miniatures, calligraphic paintings, abstract art, drawings in charcoal, video Installations, 3D art in form of relief and sculptures In almost all the medium and style.

‘Situation 101’, a contemporary creative installation by Jamal Shah, remained centre of attraction with 101 sculptures in very oddly humble situation and with a 25 feet high cage. The installation is a bold reflection of entire nation being fooled by the influential.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of State for information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Mariyam Aurangzeb said the government was to restore peace in the country so that the citizens could expand their professional work. The government has taken all possible measures to provide opportunity to the artists to explore their creativity. Some interventions are in the process that would boost the performing and visual arts in the days to come.

Jamal Shah, the PNCA Director General, said the 9th National Exhibition coincides with 70th Independence Day celebrations and is being revived after a gap of 13 years as a regular annual event. Prior to the big event, PNCA organised a series of regional exhibitions representing all provinces which were given relevant context according to the cultural heritage of the land.

He said, the reoccurring theme of culture connects the work of artists from different regions, as it becomes a point of intersection for people itself. The exhibitions represented the land, life, people and the cultural diversity of Pakistan which culminated into National Exhibition as the work for National Exhibition was selected by competent committees from all regional exhibitions.

The exhibition includes works of almost 500 artists from all over Pakistan, in the first National Exhibition being held in the new building. Artists have used broad spectrum of formats and techniques including painting, sculpture, calligraphy, photography, miniature installations and videos.

In the 70th year of Pakistan’s independence, the nation took a critical look at the increasing enthusiasm for heritage, tradition and evolving contemporary practices. Over the years the art scene in Pakistan has evolved within and beyond the traditional ways of practice of art making and looking at art. Attentive to the way geopolitical engagements and changes impact the relationship with history, the artists explored the current perception of tradition. The contemporary art scene over the last three decades have changed dramatically because the artists have remained alert to the rapidly changing socio political landscape hence the contemporary expression appear to be informed by authentic socio-political dialogue and contemporary aesthetic challenges.

The contemporary art from Pakistan have lately witnessed a few very significant international breakthroughs that has put Pakistani art in a respectable and sought-after slot internationally. The art institutions in this regard have played an integral part in grooming new talent, equipped with intimate knowledge and tools (both traditional and contemporary) who are producing works of high calibre alongside their established counterparts and continuously making the realm of art more exciting.

To sum it up, the exhibition displays a highly diversified range of experimentation both in two-dimensional work, and other works including sculpture, installations and videos. It is hoped that the work will generate dialogue, discussion and creative discourse as the purpose of this exhibition is to stimulate the artist’s mind, open new horizons and promote arts and culture through this national platform.

The profiles of the nine art icons whom the 9th National Art Exhibition is dedicated to are Ahmed Khan, Bashir Ahmed, Colin David, Hajra Mansoor, Iqbal Geoffery, Mansoor Rahi, Mian Ijaz ul Hassan, Saeed Akhtar and Zulqarnain Haider.