ISLAMABAD: A children’s art show was inaugurated on Friday which showcased the effects of climate change, degradation of environment and depletion of resources.

The fifth Arts for Change contest and exhibition was held at the National Art Gallery and was organised by Discovering New Artists (DNA) in partnership with the Pakistan National Council of Arts.

A large number of school children, their parents, teachers and senior artists from the twin cities were attending the event.

The theme of the show was Save the Earth and Water Conservation.

Most of the artworks depicted water crisis, draught, environmental, soil and water pollution by industrial, commercial and other activities.

“Our country is facing severe water shortage and most of the participants have highlighted this issue in their artworks,” said Khadeja Iftikhar, a student of Supernova School.

Over 4,500 school children between the ages of four and 15 from 110 institutions across 12 cities participated in the contest.

The travelling show will be held in Lahore Jan 23-24 and Karachi on Feb 8-9.

The artworks were amazing but should have been displayed in a more organised manner and according to the ages of the artist, said Dr Arjumand Faisal, a noted artist and director of Gallery 6.

TV artist Tauseeq Haider, who was the chief guest on the occasion, appreciated the artworks and said they can serve as an eye opener for policymakers, politicians and legislators.

Talking to Dawn he said the paintings were refreshing, original and inspiring. He said the children have touched on every aspect of environment-related problems, from awareness to policymaking, legislation and plan of action.

He said photographs of the artworks should be displayed in parliament to evoke a debate on environmental issues.

“I believe instilling creativity in young minds and harnessing their artistic skills will broaden their worldview about civic problems and make them good humans and responsible citizens,” Mr Haider said.

“I wish I had the skills to draw and paint and that I could have participated in the contest,” he joked.

Mr Haider distributed prizes and certificates among the winners and participants.

“The main purpose of the event is to provide an opportunity to marginalised and underprivileged students to participate in such activities at the national level and showcase their talent,” said DNA founding director Hassan Mujtaba Zaidi.

The other objective is to bridge the yawning gap between students from privileged and underprivileged backgrounds through such activities, he told Dawn and that Art for Change was started in 2014 to generate funds for schools catering to students from underprivileged backgrounds.

“Over 25,000 students have so far participated in the last five contests,” he said.

Mr Zaidi was one of three Pakistanis chosen for the Queen’s Young Leaders Awards, 2018.

The competition offers children from low-income communities the chance to express their dreams and hopes for the planet through art, said Sidra Ali, a National College of Arts graduate and director of the project.

Proceeds from the artworks sold at the exhibition are used to sponsor the education of 300 students through the Lahore-based Ghani Welfare Foundation, she said.

Yousuf of TNS Beaconhouse DHA Campus Lahore, Syed Kumail Naqvi of BSS Gulshan Primary School Karachi, Hassan Masood of BSS Bahria Town Lahore, Harica Angel of Springfield Public School and College Rawalpindi, Noor Fatima of Ghani Grammar School Shahadara Lahore, Laiba Shaheen of House of Lights Pind Begwal Islamabad won the first prize while Sadaf Parvez of the House of Lights came second.

Special trophies and certificates were given to Springfield School and Beaconhouse F-7/4 campus for the largest number of entries.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2019