A tribute to the genius of women artists

Karachi
Women are fully capable of carrying out all kinds of work that men do with equal efficiency and capability. This has been proved innumerable times though still the fact is not recognised.
This tribute to the genius of women was paid by the consul general of France in Karachi, Francois Dall’orso, while inaugurating an exhibition, “Inspiring women”, at the Alliance Francaise to mark International Women’s Day observed on March 8.
He underscored the need for more opportunities for exchange of art and culture between nations and appreciated the colourful and vibrant display of paintings by Pakistani artists.
Earlier, Yasmin Hyder, CEO, New World Concepts, welcomed the guests.
She said the purpose of the exhibition, where works of diverse artists, both men and women, are on display, was to inspire, challenge, and provoke thought.
As for the exhibition itself, it features the works of 27 young and senior artists. They extend over a wide spectrum of art, starting with the most conventional to the most avante-garde and everything in between.
The show starts off with a still life in the most conservative of fashion by Mona Naqsh. It is a Dahliah decorated in a glass mug for a flower vas. The subject is not complicated. It is simple, yet the way the colours have been blended along with the background lends a certain beauty to the simplicity and is a treat to watch.
However, the one that is sure to appeal to all tastes is a landscape by Sabiha Nasruddin.
In the most conservative of style, it is a landscape depicting lots of greenery, meadows and brooks and is a vision of delight.
The best part of it is that, unlike the modern stuff where the viewer has to strain his brain to guess as to what the artists has in mind, here everything is so very clear.
Then there’s a purely surrealist work by Riffat Alvi, which could be construed by the viewer as clouds and nebulous humanoid figures within them.
The work leaves lots of room for the viewer to speculate as to what it could really all about.
Then there are brain teasers like two works (untitled) by Fariya Azeem. These are nothing more than random blotches of clashing colours and nothing else. What these are supposed to be could be anybody’s guess.
In fact, the 61 works on display range from the most sublime to the absolutely weird and everything in between. They cater to all tastes.
The exhibition, jointly sponsored by the Grandeur Art Gallery and New World Concepts, continues for the next 10 days.