ISLAMABAD: A new art show titled ‘Laminated’ that opened on Saturday brought together captivating works of two artists united by their profound connection to the natural world and its impact on humanity.

Organised by Alliance Francaise, the exhibition featured the works by Zahra Jadoon and Nazir Hunzai.

Zahra Jadoon’s playful sculptures and paintings celebrated the human body as an integral part of nature. Each unique piece, inspired by diverse themes and elements, showcased organic forms that seamlessly blend with the human figure.

Zahra Jadoon, who is a visual artist from Abbottabad, graduated with honours from the National College of Arts in 2019 majoring in sculpture.

In her statement, the artist said: “My work is an exploration of the human form and the many ways, mediums and shapes in which it can be expressed. I use my art as a window to show how humans are woven into the fabric of nature.”

Ms Jadoon said she was driven by the intricate dance of muscle, bone and organ – the very building blocks of a human.

Talking to guests on the opening day, she said her work translated this fascination into pieces that were both unsettling and strangely beautiful.

The other artist, Nazir Hunzai, shaped by his own transition from a life surrounded by nature to a bustling city, reflected a similar fascination in his work.

He challenged viewers to consider the impact of their consumption habits on both people and the environment, highlighting the stark contrast between the organic world and the “concrete jungle” that people had built.

“I was born in Hunza and so I have been conditioned to revere nature. Later when I moved to Karachi I went through a transition from an organic life, in my formative years to a city dweller in my adolescence and adulthood. I still feel as if I am at a crossroads between mother nature and this concrete jungle. Our earth has become such that there is unmindful production and careless consumption. It is my belief that everything that grows around us and all we manducate becomes a part of us,” Mr Hunzai said.

We are a mere extension of what we use, even our digital gadgets. We are transforming into the very product that we use,” the artist said, adding that in the near future it may become difficult to differentiate a man from his objects.

“I merge the two together in exaggerated forms to put in view this evolving phenomenon,” he concluded.

In this exhibition, their individual artistic visions converge, creating a powerful dialogue.

Jadoon’s playful forms intertwine with Hunzai’s exaggerated mergers, blurring the lines between humanity and the resources people consumed. Together, their work compelled viewers to examine the ever-evolving relationship between man and nature, prompting introspection on the potential consequences of their choices.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2024