This particular exhibition, titled Dreams and Visions, was an attempt to not only showcase contemporary Pakistani Art, but also draw connections with
This particular exhibition, titled Dreams and Visions, was an attempt to not only showcase contemporary Pakistani Art, but also draw connections with unifying themes in art being created by international artists.
Paris Based Pakistani curator, Zara Sajid, commonly known by her alias Zcurated, in collaboration with Pakistan Art Forum, brought together one week of visualized introspection where “thinking, insecurities and judgements evaporate” based merely on mediating through the recognition of the interconnected of systems, relationships, experiences and opportunities.
Zara Sajid is an art curator, art advisor and communications specialist, with over seventy-five exhibitions under her belt, featuring works of emerging as well as established artists from Pakistan, France, Germany, UK, UAE and India. The vision, that guides her success is to promote contemporary Pakistani art and highlight its presence in the global art landscape.
This particular exhibition, titled Dreams and Visions, was an attempt to not only showcase contemporary Pakistani Art, but also draw connections with unifying themes in art being created by international artists. The week-long exhibition opened its doors to public on Friday, December 23, 2022 featuring works of globally renowned artists, including Honi Ryan, Jamil Baloch, Johannes Holt Iversen, Marium Agha, Saddam Murad, Sarah Knill-Jones, Sonia Chundrigar and Tiffany Bouelle.
The collection of artworks on display was nothing less than an instigating manifestation of reminiscence, socio-political stances and the disposition of oneself in the quagmire of a multi-dynamic global landscape. Artists had explored abstract ideas of contextual memory, lived experiences through physical and spiritual movement, natural and manmade environments as symbolic representations of systems and societies and the idea of existence in the vastness of being.
Articulately displayed in three interconnected spaces, the show was subjected to a nuance audience consisting of multi-disciplinary aspiring and established artists, designers, collectors, critics, art students and academics. The space was self-guiding and allowed the viewers to immerse themselves in the artwork on display and to develop their own interpretations. The curation orchestrated audience movement around the space with the same flow and fluidity that could be seen in the work. Designated areas and artist-wise allocation not only made it coherent but also added to the interpretive narrative and scaffolded on the experience.
While the work dealt with personalized, yet universally resonating ideas, it is debatable whether it was collectively seeking to comment, highlight, critique or resolve. The artists’ statements had recurrent ambitions to serve a purpose and fusillade out to a bigger picture but also translated individual intentions and personal agendas. In either case, it is important at this point to acknowledge the phenomenal collective outcome while realizing the importance of striking a balance between the endless possibilities of intentions and the commonalities that they present. The exhibition remained true to its concept considering the dynamics of the Pakistani context and the range of global possibilities.
Needless to say, this unifying approach has successfully highlighted a shared existence through high order art and set superior standards to show that individual statements can translate into visuals, interactions and experiences that set grounds for more evolved interests. The work consisted of a range of media ranging from thread and needle work, sculpture, conventional painting and mark making.
Khadija Shafqat, a milti-disciplinary artist and gastronomer claimed she ”enjoyed engaging in the act of understanding the themes without any preconvieced notions.” Shafqat also added that “there was a consistent narrative and all the art works were stimulating as made the audience ponder.” Over all, she really liked the show.
To add on to the praise, Olivia Qaser, a renowned filmmaker stated, “This exhibition was an immaculatey curated symphony of local and international artists. Clean and classic, the artwork on the walls was presented in such a way that allowed the viewer to truly contemplate the pieces in themselves.” Qaser also went on to say she was “soo glad to have experiencd it.”
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