ISLAMABAD: The Satrang Gallery held the opening of an unusual exhibition, ‘Making the Making’, showcasing the artworks of four young sculptors - Idrees Hanif, Nazir Hunzai, Safdar Ali and Umar Nawaz.

The exhibition focused on exploring and fusing the relationship between art and life, reality and invention.

Each of the four artists has distinctly individual styles to the extent that their preferred mediums are also very different.

Umar Nawaz works in metal, his large monumental pieces have the fluidity of crushed fabric yet the grandeur of reflective metal.

Safdar Ali and Idrees Hanif choose to create pieces which mirror or imitate reality. Ali builds sculptures out of latex and bricks. Hanif works in wood; his sculptures are life-sized, accurate reproductions of the objects which inspire him.

Nazir Hunzai has worked with latex, plaster and metal. He explores textures and consistencies through his often playful creations.

While it is far more typical for galleries in Pakistan to exhibit paintings, Asma Rashid Khan, Director of Satrang, said: “In a country like Pakistan where there is a paucity of museums and public spaces showing art, private galleries play the role of museums. It then becomes incumbent upon them to showcase art in all its forms, the typical and the unusual.”

Marc George, the Ambassador of Switzerland, who has a keen interest in contemporary Pakistani art, inaugurated the exhibition.

Some of the sculptures on display at Satrang Gallery. — Photos by Ishaque Chaudhry

He said: “It is difficult to discover new talent amongst sculptors and Asma has been successful in bringing these young artists together and highlighting their work. I am very impressed by the vibrancy and creativity of artists in Pakistan and these traits are a very positive sign for the future.”

Ambassador of Argentina Rodolfo Martin Saravia said: “It has become a tradition for art galleries to display the works of artists in the middle of their careers. It is fantastic that Satrang highlights what the young artists of the country are producing. These sculptures are wonderful and diverse!”

Ambassador of Egypt Said Mohamed Hindam congratulated the artists for becoming the face of Pakistan for the world as their talent had created a name for contemporary Pakistani art across the world.

Interestingly all four of the artists have studied in Lahore and graduated from art school within the past five years. A feature of such exhibitions, is the hoards of art students, who attend the exhibition to appreciate, learn from and be inspired by the work. ‘Making the Making’ was no different.

Speaking of hs work, Idrees Haneef said: “I am not making sculptures, I am re-making life.”

Nazir Ahmed Hunzai says that his work was an inquiry into modes of existence and the transition from one to another.

Safdar Ali says, “My work has to do with the human being’s inability to identify with the structures he himself has created and the associated sense of loss or inadequacy.”

Umar Nawaz says, “My work revolves around the physical manipulation and treatment of the material involved. The rigorous process that the material goes through is what defines the form and its content.”

Zahir Riaz, an art collector, said: “This show is amazing! This is the first time I have seen work of this scale in Pakistan. People tend to be scared of sculpture and these pieces are simply stunning.”

He added: “This is exceptional work and all these artists are just starting so this is just the beginning!”

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2015

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