A forerunner of the spoken language, drawing has been one of the earliest means of expression, and is considered a visual choreography of our imagination.

Cognizant of the power of visual expression, Hussain Chandio, a seasoned artist hailing from the heart of Sindh, Dadu, recently had a solo exhibition of 20 of his works (acrylics on canvas) called ‘Colours of culture’ at the Artciti Gallery in Karachi.

The current collection of paintings, mostly captured from an abstruse point of view, presents the artist as a nonconformist who wants to hold his subjects in the most difficult postures. Composed with tantalizing colours, Chandio’s fluid brush strokes hit a bullseye every time, making the paintings ooze with realism and emotion. One can sense moments that are aesthetically frozen.

Hussain Chandio’s paintings capture the intrinsic spirit of the country’s thriving culture

Through his richly-pigmented yet dynamic expression, the artist aims at giving his audience a dazzling experience of the environment that he has been associated with since childhood. “I used to watch below from the window and observe everyday life on the street,” explained Chandio. “When viewed from above, people, tongas, donkey carts and wagons, are significantly transformed in character while retaining their spirit and appeal. With the intense foreshortening of objects from a ‘steep’ perspective, I opted to confront this challenge,” he said.

The artist paints only the necessary objects to give the composition a clutter-free structure, especially with his peculiar observation point/perspective. This minimalist approach, with the addition of wide-ranging hues of glowing acrylics, turns the paintings into virtual gateways of ocular excitement. His work also elicits a subtle touch of nostalgia. The paintings capture the intrinsic spirit of the country’s thriving culture, which throbs in every true citizen’s heart!

Although Chandio’s craftsmanship is impeccable, the artist’s inimitable forte is in his application of colour. Working with skillful combinations of conflicting colours, Chandio manages to create exceptionally harmonised surfaces. It is in the passionate manner in which he blends the layered hues that the paintings take on a peerless flavour of highly expressive works of art. The artist’s firm persistence to achieve the intended portrayal grants his paintings an exclusive character, which is distinguished and singular.

Chandio is an artist who would like to move beyond the contemporary standards of art and create work with a difference. He believes in being diverse and futuristic so that he can visualise a world beyond. His odd compositions, viewed from unusual angles, give an opportunity to art lovers to savour diverse aspects of a scenario they may never have noticed.

‘Colours of culture’ was exhibited from August 20 till August 26 at the Artciti Gallery

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, September 11th, 2016