ISLAMABAD: Khaas Contemporary hosted the opening of Natasha Malik’s solo show The Life of an Image, a multi-media series through which the artist explores the introspective artistic process, its challenges, complexities and outcomes.

Director Khaas Contemporary Zishan Afzal Khan curated the exhibition.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Khan said: “Natasha came up with this idea of an art game which is something we have been working on for a year. It has been a long time getting from the concept to a finished product that was slick enough. This is a limited edition of 15 games and the paintings, of course, go with the game.”

“It was particularly exciting to have something so new. We have played this game endlessly so we know how it goes. My focus has always been on contemporary art, I like to hunt out talent,” she added.

Natasha Malik said: “The Life of an Image is a solo show that examines the creative process of art-making, and considers the life of the work once it leaves the artist’s studio. In this multi-media series, I explore the introspective artistic process and its challenges, and ultimately the life of the work in terms of how it is perceived and contextualised once it has been exhibited.”

“The artwork exists and interacts within a multitude of systems, which sometimes operate entirely independent of the artist, each with its own vision and purpose. The culmination of these concepts is Artscape, a four-player board game which enables its players to experience the art world. I have been working on this game for nearly two years,” she added.

Artscape is a board game with four players: The Artist, The Gallerist, The Critic and The Collector.

Playing cards guide each player throughout the game which consists of discussions, making choices, answering riddles and monetary exchanges. Various dilemmas are presented to each player in the game which impacts his/her success and relationship with other players.

The game examines the relationship between creative practitioners, art production and the art market. It addresses power structures such as Patriarchy and Capitalism, specifically drawing attention to #Metoo and ethical art practices.

Ilona Yusuf said: “I love the concept and the accompanying paintings. Great to have an innovative game that examines the intricacies of the art market.”

Abdul Ali Haider said: “This is a very good show and one thing that is very special about this exhibition is the way Natasha has combined her training in miniature painting with printmaking. The game is also interesting where the art is being presented in an interactive form, where viewers are so involved. Normally, we come to see art on a wall not engaging with it like a game. The structure of the board game is interesting as well.”

Fiza Waqar said: “The exhibition is very creative and innovative along with being informative. When you look at the work on display, you see how it has branched out from printmaking and miniature painting going so far as to creating a board game. It isn’t something you see visually but it is interactive which I appreciate.”

Natasha Malik is the founder of The Creative Process - an artistic platform working across the intersections of site-specific curatorial projects and activism from a feminist point of view.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2022