ISLAMABAD, March 27: A new exhibition at the Rohtas Gallery, "Vast Narratives," explores how the past informs the future and how the present informs the past.

The exhibit showcases the art of three artists, all of whom work with notions of memory, storytelling and history.

Speaking at a preview for the exhibit, on Wednesday, curator Mona Khan defined "Vast Narratives" as "a space in which memory is constantly revisited." As subjects and material are translated between media, she said, "we see how, through storytelling, the past in all its forms continues to resurface."

The artists also discussed the same themes.

A graduate of the University of Karachi, Maira Abid revisited the past in all of her pieces, emphasizing its relevance to the present and the future.

Sujjal Kayani, also of the University of Karachi, displayed miniature paintings, using a classical form to explore modern themes.

Her work focused on quotidian physical objects, which, she said, "develop a strong relationship with us.

It's true of objects from the past as well, that they share your space and contribute to your future, allowing you to travel between spaces and times."

The work of Dua Abbas, who studied painting at the National College of Arts in Lahore, was more figurative, depicting female characters as both storytellers and the subjects of those stories.

She was, she said, "Inspired by Eastern and Western fictional devices, which I tried to capture through setting and color." Her objective perhaps summarized the goal of the exhibition itself, which runs until April 4: to "create a fresh narrative."