Painting exhibition at Nomad: Impact of terrorism on human psyche documented

ISLAMABAD: Artworks by three experienced artists of the country went on display at the Nomad Art Gallery (NAG) Saidpur on Sunday with the aim to document the impact of terrorist attacks on human psyche.

Dr Ijaz Anwar, Ghalib Baqar and Dr Ghulam Shabbir put on display a collection of 22 contemporary paintings titled ‘Mera Sheher – My City’ and compared the life of yesteryears with today, which is marked by insecurity and fear.

In the labyrinth of conflicting views and contrasting positions, all three artists Anwar from Lahore, Shabbir from Peshawar and Baqar from Karachi feel a sense of disorientation.

According to Anwar, Lahore, the cultural capital of Pakistan, is now inhabited by people, who want to destroy the very fabric of Pakistan, which has traditional oriental outlook. “We shall not let militants destroy the tranquility of our country,” he said.

Shabbir from Peshawar told Daily Times that Peshawar is one of the oldest cities of the world. “Culture and people’s lifestyles evolved over thousands of years. Until recently a beautiful, soft and tolerant culture prevailed in Peshawar, but not now,” he explained.

He said that residents of Peshawar suffered tremendously due to the Bolshevik Revolution of Russia in 1917 and the Russian invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. “These revolutions turned riches of the city into rags overnight.

He said Peshawar was famous for its Qissa Khawani Bazaar and the qissa khwans (the story tellers). “I wish I could be considered as one of them. In the past, the bazaar was famous for more romantic reasons, but sadly now it is in the news for bomb blasts, spate of killings and destruction of property,” he lamented.

Baqar from Karachi said that his paintings depicted Karachi and lifestyles of its people. “I choose to paint buildings and monuments of the city including Manora Light Tower, Empress Market and Railway Loco Shed with steam engine,” he said.

Baqar said NB Steam Engine was not in vogue these days and he had painted it in water colour, when he was a student way back in 1975. Manora Light Tower and Empress Market date back to 1983,”
he elaborated.