A two person show at Mainframe Gallery showcased the works of Muneeb Ali and Qasim Bugti. Muneeb Ali based in Lahore is a visual artist and has a BFA from Punjab University of Art and Design and later an MA from National College of Arts, Lahore. The artist shares, “my interest lies in the relationship between meaning and form within text, specifically the Arabic script. I try to separate meaning from its visuals by deforming and dismantling them. In this body of work, I focus on calligraphic strokes that intrigue me. I use them in ways where there are no more letters or words with any specific meaning. The ambiguousness of these forms with the possibility of having myriad meanings is something I have tried to capture”.
His monochromatic colour palette and bold and distinctive brushstrokes give his calligraphy a modern and unique touch.
Qasim Bugti is a contemporary visual artist, miniature painter and art educationist. Qasim comments, “for me calligraphy and miniature painting are inseparable with calligraphy serving as an essential part of traditional painting. My work is deeply inspired by the subtlety and beauty of khat-e-nasta’ilq which I have extensively practiced. Drawing influence from Allama Iqbal’s poetry, I embrace repetition as a means of deeper understanding, much like the way his verses reveal new meanings upon multiple readings. My work reflects this process of self-realization and discipline. Sufism is another key element in my art, as it seeks to explore divine existence and the soul’s journey beyond the material world. Through my practice, I aim to express the spiritual connection between art, faith and the timeless pursuit of enlightenment.”
A wonderful exhibition of calligraphy with refreshing new perspective and distinctive styles.
Qasim Bugti, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 48 inches Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 48 Qasim Bugti, Acrylic on canvas, 48 x 72 Acrylic on canvas, 48 x 72 inches