Fascinated with beauty

The images of diverse and contrasting environments were juxtaposed in a single space showing the work of exceptional architectural heritage of Pakistan and alluring wide eyed woman figures in a two person show at Artscene Galleries, Karachi.
A Q Arif has created his own style by portraying panoramic view of historical architecture. Through repetition of same subject matter in various forms and texture having different colour schemes he revealed new dimensions of the same architecture.
Along the shadows of tall tress and small shrubs his old historical buildings stand with grace and beauty. The blur images in a misty atmosphere created a unique ambiance that attracted viewers. Although not clear the images seemed to be set at night time appeal to on lookers and they approach for a closer look.
Most of the paintings have a reflecting image of the building on the ground as if it was bathing in moonlight, which gives a new charm to his paintings. Without a trace of human or animal life the same designs are composed vertically or horizontally in bright harmonious colours from ochre, bright blue, purple to leafy green and white. While brown and black colour were used to give the paintings an ancient touch.
His paintings were reflections of famous buildings from the Mughal Empire, shrines of famous Aulia or even newer structures that were built following the Mughal time period. The wind catchers, huge corridors, numerous windows, tall doors and the clouds add a touch of known ambiance of that era to the viewer.
With well defined lines, balanced by light and shadows the stately nostalgic works offer viewers a somewhat different perspective of the historical buildings. His paintbrush gives life to forgotten places and capture silent moments. His work gives the sight of the place as well as insight of our heritage as he loves the heritage of our country and try to create awareness about such sites.
Abrar Ahmed's recent paintings reflected his artistic expressions presented in a variety of emotions, representations and themes that were explored during the lifetime of a woman while culture and life experiences have relationship with what is being painted.
He has done paintings in a series of figures which showed sequences echoing stories within the paintings. His rendering of figures was different as he portrayed the feminine forms in blue, ochre and white tones. He used shades of black and grey with white to glamorize the simplicity of human body structure against a colourful background.
He painted figures in an utmost simplistic manner and embellishes them with suggestive coloured strokes along with birds, flowers, fish and moon that further elaborate his work. The ideas come from scattered images that take shape on the canvas as an alluring woman or a pensive lady.
The human emotions especially of woman were effectively portrayed through colourful paintings. The men and women figures having varying expressions were set in different situations. Among the paintings of smiling alluring young women revealing a new world of beauty there were some figures of men with grim faces in deep thoughts. The feminine beauty and strength both speaks of a desire for appreciation, admiration and love in his work.