G.N. Qazi’s recent body of work was on display at ArtCiti Gallery. The show, curated by FS Karachi wala, focused on the theme of love.

G.N Qazi shares that love is the purest sound, the eternal call that connects hearts beyond time, belief and boundaries. “My work is rooted in this divine emotion and in the timeless spirit of my homeland, Sindh, a land whose history stretches back over five thousand years. Sindh has long been a symbol of peace and coexistence. For centuries, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and others have lived together in harmony, where a temple and a mosque could stand across from each other, united by the same rhythm of devotion.”

Things have over the years changed and evolved, not necessarily for the better. “Today, that balance feels fractured, intolerance and division have clouded compassion that once defined our culture. Through my art, I seek to rediscover and preserve the fragments of that lost harmony. I explore symbols that transcend faith and geography such as the bell, rose, the calligraphic word and the blue tile. The bell rings in shrines and churches, even around the necks of Sindh’s gentle cattle; its sound is a call to peace. Roses, scattered across mosques and holy sites, speak of love and reverence. Blue tiles and intricate patterns echo the beauty of Islamic architecture, inspired by Mughal, Persian and Central Asian traditions, timeless expressions of unity and grace.”

In a world that is rampant with materialism and noise, these paintings offer a unique stillness. They offer a moment of reflection, a breath of love and a prayer for peace.

Qazi is strongly influenced by Hazarat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s prayer: “O Lord, may your blessings always rest on Sindh, may my sweet beloved make the whole world prosperous.”

This prayer acts as a guide for Qazi’s journey as an artist. His wish and love for peace and harmony to return to the hearts of people, his beloved home Sindh and to the world.

The curator, FS Karachiwala shares, “Qazi’s practice is not an escape from the world but a remembrance of what the world has forgotten. His art carries the fragrance of Shah Abdul Latif’s prayer, turning colour in supplication and silence into compassion. Each painting becomes a space where spirit and soil meet, where the sacred and everyday dissolve into one.” Further elaborating on the artist’s work “Love is not painted, it is invoked. It moves through the surface like wind through prayer flags, unseen yet deeply felt. What remains is not the image but the echo, a call for peace, a longing for unity and a return to the divine tenderness that binds all creation.”

Bold, deeply touching and intricately detailed, Qazi’s work is mesmerising and refreshing. In time of uncertainty and instability it is a treat to see a man so devoted and passionate about peace and love for his homeland.

CAPTION
24 x 36 inch, Acrylic on Canvas
20 x 30 inch, Acrylic on Canvas
18 x 24 inch, Acrylic on Canvas
24 x 30 inch, Acrylic on Canvas
16 x 16 inch, Acrylic on Canvas