One of the recent additions to Lahore’s art scene is O Art Space. Inaugurated early last year, it was envisaged as a multipurpose space that could accommodate not only state-of-the-art, modern furniture and accessories, but also the work of serious art practitioners. The gallery space for exhibitions is a smaller part of the three-storey complex, but has fast emerged as a well reputed niche for both seasoned and upcoming artists. It even hosted a collaborative event during the Lahore Biennale held recently.

The latest exhibition Utopian States at the gallery featured the works of two young artists, Ahsan Javaid from Lahore and Jovita Alvares from Karachi. The former is a graduate of the National College of Arts (NCA) and the latter completed her undergraduate degree in fine arts, with distinction, from the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS).

Utopian States comes across as a low-key, minimalistic collection of drawings and paintings that engage the viewer in a subtle way. The small-sized works demand focused attention and contemplation. Javaid’s graphite drawings on archival paper are a set of seven pieces, all titled ‘Note Naqsha’ and are rendered quite in the style of contemporary miniature work. They are, indeed, titled quite literally, as each drawing portrays a currency note and a map (or ‘naqsha’) in the backdrop.

A two-person exhibition presents a low-key, minimalistic collection of drawings and paintings

What one sees is a rolled up version of currency notes, and one has to look very closely to decipher which country each note belongs to. The artist’s choice in this regard is indeed significant: Syria, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Burma and Pakistan. The message comes across as both political and poignant. The maps in the pristine white backdrop are very subtly embossed lines, just barely visible, but nonetheless an important part of the artwork, both in terms of aesthetics and narrative.

Alvares’s artworks are more colourful, but again, small in size and delicately rendered like in miniature work. The medium she uses, however, is oil paint on canvas, with one work combining oils with UV printing. One sees the artist’s rendering of a typical urban environment, albeit in an up-close and personal way. As one views the façade of the seemingly old but large upper-class home and the bougainvilleas that adorn its boundary walls, a strange feeling of intimacy and familiarity ensues. The artist captures in detail the nitty-gritty of architecture, typical unruly electricity wires in the vicinity, and the visual relief of nature in all its beauty and splendour.

This latter aspect is further zoomed into by Alvares, as she renders the minute details of the bougainvillea flowers in four of the seven small canvases. Two of the other canvases juxtapose views of the same home at different times, invoking both the element of nostalgia and continuity. ‘Utopian Bloom’, however, has a somewhat different impact in terms of technique and visuals, and presents a contemporary version of urban architecture typical of upper-class localities. While it appears neat and modern, it invokes an odd sense of aloofness, as if indicating the mood and style of modern neighbourhoods.

Both these young artists come across as thoughtful and talented, though an element of inward-looking tentativeness can also be detected in them. It would be interesting to see how their skills and ideas are carried forward as they gain more confidence in their ideas, with the passage of time and through further study and contemplation.

“Utopian States” was showcased at the O Art Space in Lahore from April 27 to May 7,2018

Published in Dawn, EOS, May 20th, 2018