KARACHI: The fourth Asna clay triennial featuring exhibitions artworks by artists from 16 countries, an international workshop and a kumhar mela spread over three weeks, began at the V.M. Art Gallery on Friday with a ceramic show titled ‘Light and Lightness’.

The display has a wide variety of ceramic works carrying aesthetic charm and philosophical content. India’s Nehal Rachh’s exhibit titled ‘Within’ (ceramic and mixed media) is a cogent example of it. The artist seems to relish the medium she works in and her medium becomes the message. She invites the viewer not to use the visual sense alone; the tactile sense is just as important.

Sarah O’Sullivan from Australia comes up with a striking artwork called ‘Remnants’ (slip cast porcelain with hand-painted underglaze). The artist creates objects of everyday use and goes a step ahead. The viewer is bound to look beyond the routine, perfunctory pattern of everyday life after taking a closer look at the shallow part of the spoon.

Reyaz Badruddin from India too touches on a similar subject, ‘Cup of Tea’ (mixed media) but with a difference. He does not let the ‘seeing beyond’ factor overtake the aesthetics involved in his work.

Turkey’s Sirin Kocak and Sevim Cizer make their presence felt with some strong conceptual work through their ‘Heart’ and ‘Boxes’ series, while Nepal’s Gopal Das Shrestha brings the spiritual element into his work and adds another flavour and feel to the whole show.

Perhaps the most interesting exhibit, in terms of local subject matter, is Mudita Bhandari’s terracotta piece titled ‘The Thirsty Crow’.

The known moral story is set against a constantly changing world that elevates the tale to a different level.

Apart from international figures, celebrated Pakistani artists such as Shehrezade Alam, Munawar Ali Syed and Nabahat Lotia have also put their artworks on display.

The event was formally inaugurated at a lively ceremony later in the evening.

In an interesting act, Sheherezade Alam appeared on stage and made a pot during her performance.

Art critic Niilofur Farrukh spoke about the genesis of Asna, how the idea for triennial came about in 1997 and how it had evolved over the years.

Artist Mehr Afroze spoke in Urdu and told the audience that Asna was an Urdu word meaning a ‘moment’.

Swiss ceramist Claude Presset delivered the keynote address.

Her speech revolved around the 1001 cups theme inspired by her visit to India.

She told the gathering that the 1001 cup exhibition travelled many countries and earned critical acclaim.

The exhibition will continue till January 31.