ISLAMABAD: An exhibition showcasing the contribution of a Baloch family to art opened at Gallery6 on Thursday.

The exhibition, “Yak Baloch Kahol-i-Hashar,” included works by Baloch artist Akram Dost who was born in a culturally rich province where art and craft is well known for its vibrant colours, motifs and designs.

Akram’s vivid memories of childhood reminds him of his mother making different shapes, figurines, animal patterns and pots from clay for her children even though she had no exposure to formal education. She also made beautiful colourful embroidery, weaving items and crafts that decorated their home.

The artist believes that the visual story that he started narrating across Pakistan and the globe, which has been continued by his brothers or their children, has its deep rooting from these indigenous art forms.

“I still can’t get out of these traditional motives, designs, rhythms and colours that are very different, distinct and indigenous. Natural dyes used in handlooms, well-crafted threadwork and adorning carpets have all been my inspiration. That’s how my works exist today with a variety of mediums. It becomes evident that my artwork is linked deeply to my land, my region, my culture and not just represents a school of thought,” the artist told his visitors.

With a major in painting from the National College of Arts (NCA) in 1983, he works in different mediums. Besides his two distinct styles in paintings, there are unique two carved wooden suitcases that were used by the British army soldiers in the pre-partition days and also a three-panel wooden carved painted screen.

Akram’s continued success and progress with different mediums in art led him to become the head of the department of fine arts at the University of Balochistan, Quetta. His creative skills and advancements made him the role model for his family.

Jamil Baloch was next to follow the path laid by him. Jamil started as a landscape painter but has become a leading sculptor after graduating from the NCA, Lahore, in 1997 and now teaching the subject there.

In his words, “As a child, at times I would make some toys for myself. If someone would make a kite, I would make my own of different shapes like birds and airplanes. Sometimes I would make a bus using the kitchen knives and available home tools.”

Jamil’s works were a debt to the soil and his birthplace, which should be returned. With this concern, he often keeps the land, the people, and environment as a focus in his works (both sculptures and paintings), which also often portray different behaviours of a society. His work often has socio-political, critical and even taunting tones. The good examples of these are burqa series and hope series. This is also subtly represented by his paintings in the exhibition. He incorporates the traditional models with modernity in his art and also explores diverse mediums like his elder brother.

Faheem Baloch, the third brother, was next to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in 2004, also from the UOB.

Jabal Baloch, son of the fourth brother Dr Sarfaraz Baloch, was the fourth individual to join the family art group with a degree in fine arts from UOB in 2012. He mainly dwells in figurative paintings that are included in the show.

Saud Baloch and Rahim Baloch graduated in 2013 from the NCA. Saud majored in sculpture. In this exhibition, he has contributed a pointer on paper drawings.

Rahim Baloch chose miniature painting as his subject. His three artworks in the exhibition are from an emotional series that represents his relationship with his father, who left his wife and child for a chance with another family but for whom the artist’s love never faded.

“In these paintings, I am the bee drawn to the sweet nectar of my father represented by jasmine flower. This flower was abundant in my surroundings when I was with him.”

Mary Baloch (wife of Jamil Baloch) and Doda Baloch (Akram’s nephew) have acquired no formal training in art but are regular practitioners. Mary is participating with paintings while Doda has contributed his drawings for the exhibition.

“This exhibition records the variety of artwork of this unique Baloch family through a visual story which started about five decades ago and will continue to enrich the art world, not only in Pakistan, but throughout the globe,” said curator of the show Dr Arjumand Faisal. The exhibition will continue till May 2.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play