ISLAMABAD, Oct 24: An exhibition juxtaposing the experiences of cultures and human society across continents by Ahmad Habib and Zahra Kazmi opened at the Nomad Art Gallery on Thursday.

Nageen Hyat, the curator of the gallery, said: “It is an innovative, exciting exhibition of paintings by the two artists to encourage a dialogue between the audience and the creative thinker.”

Both the artists are of Pakistani origin but come from backgrounds of having lived in diverse cultures - Ahmad in Oman and Zahra in Kenya - during their formative years.

The exhibition came together with Nageen asking the two artists to ponder, reflect upon and document their experiences when converging in Pakistan.

It gave them and Nomad the opportunity to showcase a dialogue encompassing the birthplace, identity and richness of cultures experienced by the two artists.

Ahmad said: “The spirit of culture is a unique experience for me because I had to look back at my idiosyncrasies while standing at the backyard of my future. I had to recall my past from the cherished little treasure box that is very dear to me and then to showcase that wealth of mine in front of my admirers.”

Zahra quotes Rumi to illuminate her feelings about the exhibition.

“Listen with the ears of tolerance! See through the eyes of compassion! Speak with the language of love!”

Mrs Brigadier Tahir, a guest at the opening, said: “Ahmad’s work is always distinct and beautiful.”

Mehmoona, a landscape artist herself, stated that the paintings were awakening her own abilities to critique art and to see each painting at multiple levels.

Ahmad grew up in Oman, with dessert and sea, coconut trees and mountains, to draw inspiration from.

With a father who was both artist and poet and a natural talent for oils, he has tried to immortalise shades of the past with experiences of Pakistan and link the two.

He has a fascinating palette for this particular collection as there is a surfeit of pinks and greens to symbolise and colour women, both of Salala and Balochistan.

Another motif he has used is jewellery, which he feels links women across all cultures and traditions.

And between the women of Oman and Pakistan are constructions, reminiscent of old Lahore paintings, which are either connecting or dividing them.

The artist says: “In 1994, I repatriated back to Pakistan and, as an artist would do, started observing the unpredictable behaviour of the people that often reminded me of the rebellious tides of the Arabian Sea from the shores of Oman. I started collecting the behavioural miscalculations on my canvas. I managed to survive many national and international exhibitions and today I feel privileged that I am standing in front of you trying to bridge the gulf between my past along with all its colours and spirit and a complacent future.”

Zahra’s palette in comparison to Ahmad’s is one with ochres, browns and those tones one would typically associate with Africa and in her case Balochistan.

But a recurrent, and extremely charming, motif is the giraffe which finds space in many of her pieces in the exhibition.

Zahra added: “This particular series shares two important aspects of my personality through showcasing the attachment I have for two countries, Kenya and Pakistan. Kenya is my birthplace, the land of my origin, the cradle of mankind. I have tried to paint a story which starts from Kisumu, Kenya, and slowly comes to Balochistan. It was here that I studied and spent my youth. The African continent is painfully underrated in terms of beauty and simplicity especially my country Kenya. I enjoyed endless days of peace and tranquility in Balochistan and I felt it important to showcase this as well.”