INTERNATIONAL
Tuesday April 3, 2012
Artistic endeavours agreeable company! Ishrat Hyatt isiantaha? Pakistani art and artists are becoming well known throughout the world and connoisseurs have been busy adding to ‘4, . their collections whenever there is an op. portunity to do so. Along with the established artists, new ones are constantly adding their input to the art scene — the many galleries that are now functioning in the capital alone are testimony to the fact that there is a vast scope for both the new/young and recognised artists to `showcase-sell their work. V , Being an aficionado of the miniature ''genre of art, wife of the High Commissioner of Canada, Vanessa Hynes, O l 'hosted a lunch to introduce her friends to Sahyr Sayed, a young artist who recently took part in the inaugural exhibition of Satrang Gallery in the Serena Hotel, titled 'Breaking the Mould.' Balmy spring weather and flowers in the garden '' were motivation for the hostess to have •,•:.'iunch outdoors and invitees — who riveiled the flowers in their colourful outfits — had an enjoyable time talking about art; music and all things pleasant
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she says that about six years ago she made a structure out of Styrofoam that faintly resembled a double story house, the beginning of what she called the 'doll I, house' project. However, it was when she began her training in traditional miniature painting that she began to think of it as more than a hobby. Having spent her childhood in many different houses with none matching the perfect home she was prepared for, the doll house became an escape from reality, so she chose to use her interest in it to create three dimensional objects that she hoped would communicate the absence of a cosy family home. "Contemporary miniature is a highly debatable term," she says. "Calculating incorporating visual elements from traditional miniature is a totally bankrupt manoeuvre. In my work I try and use materials and techniques that I feel seduce the The hostess (second from left) standing with the artist on her left and guests viewer into entering my fantasy homeyj space, only to find that it is not that wonand that too in such agreeable company! was inspired to take up miniature paint- derful after all." Besides her miniatures, Sehr also ing under the tutelage of Bashir Ahmed, The Satrang Gallery is an initiative of produces art in other genres — sculpting Pakistan's world renowned miniaturist Serena Hotels Pakistan to encourage included A graduate of the National Col- because of her fascination for 'miniature and promote talented artists in their purlege of Arts (NCA) Lahore, she said she or little things.' Explaining her interest, suit of excellence.