LAHORE, Dec 12: A solo exhibition of artworks by Ayesha Durrani, titled ‘Less Is Not More’, opened at the Drawing Room Art Gallery on Wednesday.

“I want to tell my story and own up to my love of everything bright, shiny and colourful because I am of the East and my love of over-decorating is part of my heritage,” Ayesha said at the inauguration of the exhibition that runs until Dec 19. A number of art lovers attended the exhibition, including artists, students from various educational institutions and critics.

The novelty in the artworks was the glitter and embellishment the artist had added to her pieces, something not practiced commonly.

Durrani said light and colour played an important role in life, adding different colours infused different feelings. The artist had also drawn inspiration from the subcontinent’s heritage, as colour and light had been celebrated throughout the ages in this region.

She said: “We only have to look at Mughal architecture and paintings. They are a celebration of light and colour. The sheer opulence of their buildings, clothes and paintings is breathtaking.”

There were a dozen artworks on display, including paintings and miniatures. The titles of the paintings were as catchy as the pieces themselves, such as ‘The dance of the spirit’, ‘Midnight in heaven’, ‘I want to be a bride when I grow up’, ‘So what if it is grey’ and ‘Celebration’.

The mediums included water colour, raw silk, rhinestones and silk roses, fabric flowers, cut stone beads, pearls and plastic beads, ribbon roses, and tea wash Gadrang gold leaf embroidered motifs.

Ayesha Durrani is a contemporary artist known for her miniature work. She is a graduate from the National College of Arts.