Geometry, texture and the subtleties of monochromatic palettes form the basis of Mahbub Jokhio’s artworks on display at the group show ‘Patterns’ at Canvas Gallery.

These works, rendered with meticulous precision, involve a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, form and void. The Apple is a study of triangular forms that crisscross the paper in a harmonious yet complex pattern. The gentle folds and sharp edges evoke a sense of movement and stillness simultaneously. This piece transcends the literal interpretation of an apple, instead capturing the essence of growth and the layered nature of reality.

Similarly, in The Peacock, Jokhio diverges from the predictable vibrancy typically associated with the bird, opting instead for a subdued, almost ethereal representation through geometric abstraction.

However, Jokhio’s The Snake is perhaps his most evocative work on display here, with its sinuous lines radiating outward from a central point, reminiscent of a snake’s coiled form, ready to strike. The convergence of lines and the resulting tension within the composition embody the dual nature of the snake: danger and allure.

Three artists employ recurring patterns to explore their feelings and concerns in a recent group show in Karachi

The nuanced gradations of tone across the piece add depth, enhancing the illusion of three-dimensionality. This artwork encapsulates the symbolic essence of the snake, representing both the cycle of life and the potential for rebirth and renewal.

Tahira Noreen’s artworks invite viewers to traverse a landscape of intricate lines and forms that articulate the essence of movement and time. Influenced by the artist’s own experiences within cities and during various travels, this body of work serves as a conceptual map that charts both inward and outward journeys.

The deep engagement with the concept of time, particularly through the lens of the moon’s influence on tides, is apparent in works such as Recast I and Syzygy. The artist draws inspiration from the marks left by receding tides, translating these natural phenomena into meticulous incisions on wasli paper.

The medium of choice plays a crucial role in the narrative of the work. Each incision is a deliberate act, a permanent alteration that symbolises the irrevocable passage of time. The process, as described by the artist, is both meditative and physically demanding, resulting in unique contours and vortexes that echo the ebb and flow of tides.

Visually, the monochromatic palette of the pieces enhances the interplay between movement and stillness, especially in her deeply arresting work, titled A World Within. The contrasts between tranquillity and noise, between the silent whisper of a single line and the cacophony of intricate patterns, evoke a sensory experience that mirrors the multifaceted nature of travel and the passage of time.

Marked by an immersive exploration of colour and its subtle transformations, Waleed Zaman’s artworks explore how colour emerges and evolves through natural and seasonal changes, eventually expanding into cosmic projections articulated through a geometric language.

Utilising natural minerals, pigments and precious metals, the artist captures the universe as it unfolds, poised between states of integration and disintegration. This is apparent in works such Faani qul Jahaní [This Realm is Ephemeral] and Celestial View.

This series is deeply influenced by the artist’s experience of living between two worlds, both physically and spiritually, amidst political upheaval and the erosion of national identities in the East and West. This duality has driven Zaman towards a minimalist abstraction, moving away from conventional representations and towards a focus on spiritual and traditional identity.

As a result, the works are imbued with a celebration of religious and spiritual ideals. Zaman masterfully navigates the complexities of colour, form and identity, creating works that resonate with both cosmic grandeur and intimate spirituality.

‘Patterns’ was on display at Canvas Gallery in Karachi from April 30-May 9, 2024

The writer is an artist and educator

Published in Dawn, EOS, June 2nd, 2024