NEW DELHI, Jan 29:
Issues of identity, boundaries, political and social concerns abound in the works of artists from neighbouring countries of Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh at the India Art Fair here.
The 8th edition of the four-day long fair, which opened to the public today with a VIP preview last evening, features art from about 70 galleries across the world, tightly curated by Fair’s international director Zain Masud, who attempts to “provide a reference point for the subcontinent.”
Displayed under ‘Platform’, a new initiative at the Fair, are artworks by four emerging artists from Pakistan — Saba Khan, Farida Batool, Mohsin Shafi and Humaira Abid, all represented by the Lahore-based Taseer Art Gallery.
High up on the white walls of the gallery’s booth are images of 550 pairs of eyes, which blink and change directions as the viewer walks past. Titled “Why are you looking at me” the images are a creation of Farida Batool whose other work is “Eik Shahar Jo Udaas hai” (A city that is in mourning).
The work presents a series of lenticular photos on scenes from Lahore city seen as a continous red brick wall when viewed from an angle.
“This one is based in the year 2009 when extremism was at a high and Lahore was targetted. Schools were shut down and walls of the houses were raised for security reasons. Since walls were erected,I took to potraying the life on the streets on the walls,” she said.
Shafi, whose collages are personal potraits of his life and family using impersonal recycled images. “ I’d rather pose more questions than provide answers, and hopefully, in turn create a deper dialogue,” he says in a note.
Abid showcases two sculpture series using mahogany wood and bronze. “There are two series that the artist has done. Her style is miniature and through her wood sculptures of tifins she looks at roles of women and social taboos,” says Sanam Taseer who is representing the Gallery.
Saba’s work is a satire on the elite in Lahore where she lives. Her works bear titles like “Halal Dreams,” “Feeling Pious Today,” among others.
Seven artists from the recently earthquake-ravaged Nepal are presenting their works at the booth by Nepal Art Council.
One of the “most powerful works”, says gallerist Dina Bangdel is by Hitman Gurung who did interviews with different people during the blockade of goods from India by Madheshi community protestors.
Hitman which in Nepali means, a wise man has in his work “This is My Home, My Land and My Country” potrayed women with their faces covered holding their identity cards. There are also bronze mini gas cylinders that he has created.
One of the Nepali artists captured death and destruction in the country. An impromptu image she created at the booth was a red swish of paint, depicting blood, trickling down to the floor of the booth gallery. (PTI)
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