Written by: Rehan Botejue
New Memories – Moeen Faruqi
April 9-23 (Everyday except Sunday) 11AM-8PM
Moeen Faruqi is a well known, uniquely talented artist and profound thinker with a knack for capturing the alienating nature of existing as a prisoner to society.
His work consists of narrative portraits, with spacey landscapes and disturbing forms. They depict people left behind the times, trapped in fragile facades, suffering from the estrangements of reality.
There is a strange irony in his works. They are representative of the urban paradoxes subjected upon the inhabitants of a city of chaos. Definitely stop by at this thought provoking exhibition to see Moeen Faruqi’s excellent range of art – the show continues until April 23rd at Koel Gallery.
Eclectic Mix
April 9-17: 5-8PM
Sanat Initiative strives to be a platform for innovation – they promote dynamism and creativity and continuously engage with the many experimental streams of consciousness that can be replicated and showcased in the material realm of art exhibitions.
Their current exhibition is of such a mould. Intrigued by the similarities in colour sensibilities and patterns of technique, curator Adeel uz Zafar invited a couple of emerging artists Abida Dahri, Sulaman Arshad, Wajahat Saeed and Yaseen Khan to Eclectic Mix.
The curator believes the works are compilations of visual strategies that call attention to the interminable nature of artworks. Each exhibit does not need a beginning or an end: they represent limitless potential to produce multi-faceted experiences for viewers. Come check out Sanat Initiative’s exhibition over the next few days to experience Eclectic Mix.
Truck Art Workshop
April 11-13 & April 18-20
Slot 1: 3-4:30PM, Slot 2: 5-6:30PM
The constantly evolving, local folk art form of Pakistani ‘truck art’ has long symbolised the fluid elements that make up our country’s identity and unifying narrative. Truck art, through its vibrant, enigmatic amalgamation of images, has depicted the vast scope of our politics, our ethnic communities and our spiritual and folk sensibilities with more contemporary figures and aesthetic considerations. Adorning the average minibus, you may spot eagles and peacocks and Sufi saints enjoined in tapestries of colour with cricketers, military imagery and foreign figures in contemporary pop culture. With Urdu poetry, cultural imagery and deep roots in our history, truck art is the heritage of our the subcontinent.
Art TV Pakistan is dedicated to presenting us with high profile galleries, shows and artists on their premium quality online video portal. Exclusively for the fine arts community, they streamline all the relevant information necessary for collectors, artists, students and journalists – a singular destination for all art Pakistan. In collaboration with Alliance Francaise de Karachi, they are offering a unique workshop on Truck Art conducted by world famous truck artist Haider Ali.
The project will take place over 6 days. The first week will consist of activities designed to teach you how to start an art piece while learning all the components necessary to complete the work. The second week will delve into wall mural work and painting. Haider Ali has showcased his exhibits in Washington D.C’s Smithsonian Museum and and has presented them at the 2012 London Olympics. Join him in learning an art form inexorably tied to Pakistan’s history. Contact 02135873402 or 0321-393-2955 for registration details, or email [email protected]!
A Tribute to Abdul Hayee: Solo Show of Water-Colour Paintings
April 11-13: 6-8PM
Art Citi will be paying tribute to the services and dedication of the 72 year old Abdul Hayee . In recognition of 4 decades of work in the world of art, they have organised an exclusive watercolour painting exhibition by Abdul Haye – his first solo exhibition.
Abdul Haye is a water colour teacher and specialist of the technique, able to bring his work to life like few can. Every vision presents the possibility of a creative solution, and the range of potential in life is apparent in his incredibly diverse and versatile use of water colours.
He is known to travel to parks all over karachi in search of foliage, old architecture, shifting hues of colour in the earth and budding flowers. He has ventured far into the interior of the country, and to the stunning Northern Areas, to capture the views of rivers and abundant nature with his brush strokes.
He is a vivid, expressive artist and an inspirational teacher. His art pays tribute to the entirety of nature – a reminder to reconnect with the pristine beauty of the world. Come to Art Citi to pay tribute to this special Artist!
Chitra Pritams Visual Voice of Impressionism 2019
April 9-15th: 6PM-9PM
Artscene Galleries presents us Chitra Pritam’s painting exhibition on for the next week. Chitra Pritam left his village of Sanjarpur as a young man with aspirations to paint in Karachi’s metropolis.
Inspired by renowned painter Jamil Naqsh, Chitra’s very first solo exhibition took place in 1995, capturing the landscapes of interior Punjab’s countryside.
He was awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in 2012 – a civilian award for his achievements as a Pakistani artist. With paintings in calligraphy, landscapes, seascapes and more, he is a versatile and talented artist. Call 0302-274-0111 or check out their website for more details.
Mirroring the Concrete by Rida Fatima
April 10-16: 11AM-8:30PM
Rida Fatima’s exhibition is ultimately a protest against the denigration of countless cultural and heritage sites. She is a talented young artist who has previously taken part in the Lahore Biennale, with a solo show exhibited at Shakir Ali Museum in Lahore. Check out this interesting exhibition at MainFrame over the next few days to learn more about our relationship to the urban structures and rural sites that exist around us and frame our lives.
