ISIBLE V A Amna Ilyas | Heraa Khan | Maha Ahmed
Satrang Gallery is an initiative of Serena Hotels Pakistan to encourage and promote talented artists in their pursuit of excellence
A-VISIBLE Amna Ilyas Heraa Khan Maha Ahmed
A-VISIBLE Amna Ilyas | Heraa Khan | Maha Ahmed A-visible is about us - our ostentation, our sense of security as well as our intellectual concerns in the pursuit of knowledge and truth. These unique artists examine social strategies, intrigues and duplicities, ranging from the activities of society matrons, to the emptiness of words and to the desperate search for protection, which serve to achieve a peculiar sense of normalcy and security in an otherwise atypical situation. They convey their observations through their sculptures, miniatures and mixed media paintings. Within their sophisticated and mature work, their visuals achieve a vibrancy that envelopes the viewer.
Zahra Khan Curator
Amna Ilyas In these recent works, the aspect of language is explored which takes plunge into a philosophical debate over the existence of objects and the dynamics of visibility. Books are created in transparent or opaque plastics, to substitute the whiteness of the paper. In these open books, one comes across pages on both sides, with either words etched on to the surface or straight lines or just hollow spaces. We are aware that how the whole process of knowledge is part of a large act of power that creates an illusion of truth that is ephemeral and transitory but does not match with the truth. Using Perspex amplifies the ‘plastic’ aspect of words and perhaps authority even. These works also coincide with childhood and the learning/schooling aspect of our lives. These empty books cannot communicate except the verbal noise (which surrounds us) that is no more than an exercise in rhetoric.
Page One Perspex (white) 8 x 6 Inches
Untitled White Perspex 12x15 Inches
Another few Perspex 12 x 10 Inches
Heraa Khan Growing up in the provincial metropolis, Lahore, a modern, happening city, one invariably comes across a certain segment of the society that is highly status conscious. Making its way to the elite cliques, social calendars and fashion houses appears to be the primary concern of this society. I am struck by the constraints of this society that apparently enjoys a luxurious life style yet seem so remote from the basic sources of pleasure - a society that has encased itself in a lifestyle that is a mere bubble- delusional and distant from reality. After starting my training as a Mughal and Persian miniature painter, I faced the challenge of transforming the impersonal, technique-driver art form, into a more personal form of art. I started recording and capturing fragments and impressions of the social circle around me, from visits to high-end social gatherings and events, kitty parties to scraping pages out of the copious social magazines. Using symbols and articles from these mundane sources, I reinterpreted them to incorporate these into my paintings. The emphasis on bright colors, patterns and different postures in my work is in itself a comment on such consumer ridden lifestyles. It is an expression of the amusement and empathy that it invokes in me and lends a dimension of humor in my work. My work is not only relevant to a particular segment of the Pakistani society but it strives to go beyond the borders as well. It’s a tale of absurd, frivolous indulgences as well as limitations and loneliness. Along with that, my work is an attempt to experiment, expand and blur the definition and boundaries of miniature and its centuries old technique.
Summer breeze - 1 Gold-leaf and gouache on wasli 7.5 x7.5 Inch
Grapevine Gold-leaf, gouache and print on wasli 7 x 8.6 Inch
Summer breeze - 2 Gold-leaf and gouache on wasli 7.5 x 7.5 Inch
Maha Ahmed Having grown up in a developing country like Pakistan has had a tremendous influence in the kind of work I create. Due to the insurgency of terrorism and deteriorating national security, Pakistanis today, hide under this false pretense of safety, which ubiquitously paralyzes our ability to distinguish security and insecurity. The work I create builds upon those nuances by employing abstractions, directing emphasis on the mood and ambience in spaces. The symbolism I am currently exploring is that of a black cloth/paper and how it is used to cover glass on doors and windows to protect one from external harm and interference. I make an effort to talk about how we choose to ignore and stay indifferent to these daily injustices that we go through in the name of security. I had the privilege of learning miniature painting at the National College of Arts, Lahore. I was particularly intrigued by the sensitive nature of this tradition; which required an immaculate level of skill and patience is to fully master this craft. The term “Miniature” itself refers less to the scale of the painting and more to the technique; it is a unique way of using dry brush on burnished paper. This practice led me to a new direction: “Can you see me?” is a series of images that talk about security. When looked at closely the black spaces are figures: women that are protected from your eye until you really start to see.
Hide and seek Gouache on paper 11 x 14 Inches
Recognise me Gouache on wasli 12.5 x 15 Inches
Early dinner (Diptych) Gouache on wasli 16 x 21 Inches
Amna Ilyas b. 1980 Pakistan E-mail : amna.sva@gmail.com Qualification 2012-13 2003 Experience 2008 2005-2007
MA Applied Arts (Glass and Installation) AFAD, Slovakia. B.F.A (Honors) National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan. Assistant Professor (visiting)Department of Fine Art, NCA. Served as Research Asst. at Department of Academics, NCA.
Fellowships Sep-Nov-2013 Full fellowship for Research Residency at Greatmore, Cape town, South Africa. Jun-Aug-2012 Full fellowship for Glass Sculptures by Kempinski arts programme, Bratislava, Slovakia. http://www.kempinski.com/en/bratislava/hotel-river park/press-room/news/the -kempinsk i-ar ts programme-invites-the-pakistani-artist-amna-illyas-to create-artwork-in-slovakia Reference contact: Marylea van Daalen maryleavd@gmail.com (program Director) Sep-2009 Fellowship for one month Residency in Vermont Studio Centre USA Nov-2007
Full fellowship for one month International Artists Residency at Global Art Village New Delhi, India.
Residencies / Workshops Jun-2014 PART age International Artist workshop, Mauritious. Sep-Nov-2012 Two months Mixed Media Residency at Norths lands & Edinburgh sculpture workshop, Scotland.
Jun-Aug-2012 Three months residency at Kempinski Hotels, Bratislava, Slovakia. Jul-Aug-2012 International Glass symposium at Rona Factory Puch’ov, Bratislava. Feb-2012 Thupelo workshop by Triangle trust at Bag factory, Johannesburg, South Africa. Jun-Jul-2011 ‘Mansion’ an Artist residency for site specific work in Lahore, Pakistan. Sep-2009 One Month International Artists Residency at Vermont Studio Center, Vermont, USA. Nov-2007 One Month International Artists Residency at Global Art Village New Delhi, India. Dec-2007 Two Weeks Residency at Lalit Kala Akademy, India. Upcoming Solo Show Latitude28 Gallery,New Delhi,India. Solo Exhibitions Apr-2014 ‘Untitled’ at Canvas Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan. May-2012 ‘Immediacy’ at Rohtas, Lahore, Pakistan. Feb-2011 ‘Earth and Sky’ at Aicon Gallery ,London. Oct-2010 ‘Woman,wounds and words’ at Seven Art Gallery, Curated by Quddus Mirza,India. Sep-2009 ‘Paper Installation ‘at Vermont Studios Center USA. May & Aug-2009 Light Sculptures’ at Zahoor-ul-Akhlaq Gallery NCA Lahore and at Rohtas I, Islamabad. Nov-2008 ‘Of Portion & Postures’ at Rohtas II gallery Lahore. Sep-2007 ‘Not White’ at Zahoor-ul-Akhlaq gallery Curated by Quddus Mirza,NCA. May-2005 ‘The Thin Line’ at Rohtas II Lahore. Two Person Show Oct- 2007 ‘The White Cast’ with Ahmed Ali Manganhar at Canvas gallery Karachi, Pakistan.
Selected Group Exhibitions Sep-2010 Gihon River Collectives ‘Copy0909 an Exhibition of VSC alumni, London. Mar-2010 ‘Young Blood’ at Canvas, Karachi, Pakistan. Dec-2009 ‘The State of Things’ at Aicon Gallery, London. Mar- 2008 ‘Going Places’ at Canvas Gallery Karachi, Pakistan. Nov-2008 ‘Small Scope’ NCA faculty Show at Zahoor-ul-Akhlaq Gallery Lahore. Pakistan. Mar-2008 International Art Expo curated by Ashok Art gallery Mumbai India Jan-2008 ‘Warmth of Words and Art’ at Farrago art gallery, Gurgaon, India Nov-2007 ‘International contemporary art exhibition ‘at Habitate Center New Delhi, India Nov -2007 ‘International residency show’ at Global Art Village New Delhi India Reviews Oct-2010 h t t p : / / w w w. g e t g u e r i l l a . c o m / i n d e x . p h p / archive-menu-item-new/107-features-issue-32 ottawa-en h t t p : / / w w w. k e m p i n s k i . c o m / e n / b r a t i s l av a / hotel-river-park/press-room/news/the-kempinski-arts programme-invites-the-pakistani-artist-amna-illyas- to-create-artwork-in-slovakia/ http://tribune.com.pk/story/376409/art installation national-malaise-from-darkness-to-light/ http://www.webnoviny.sk/kultura/umelkyna- amna-ilyas-pricestovala-tvori/518866-clanok.html http://dawn.com/2012/05/20/artists- perspective-just-black-and-white/ http://tribune.com.pk/story/376409/art installation-national-malaise-from-darkness-to- light/ http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default. asp?page=2012%5C05%5C09%5Cstory_9-5-2012_ pg13_6#.T6tUqeT-9jI.facebook n
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http://www.sevenartlimited.com artistpress-1026.html http://www.sevenartlimited.com/ artistpress-1027.html http://www.sevenartlimited.com/ artistpress-1028.html http://www.sevenartlimited.com/ artistpress-1030.html http://www.sevenartlimited.com/ artistpress-1029.html May-2009 Change in Art by ‘Quddus Mirza’ The News. May-2009 The sight for sore eyes ‘Mariam Qureshi’ Daily Times. Nov-2008 Her personal voyage by ‘Quddus Mirza’ The News. Sep-2007 Hollow Casting by’ Madiha Sikander’ Hareld. Oct-2007 Review by’ Asif Noorani ‘Dawn Gallery Karachi Sep-2007 Scent of Woman By’ Bibi Gul’ Dawn Gallery Lahore. Sep-2007 Not Faces-not Nudes By ‘Hina Massod ‘Daily Times. Sep-2007 Exhibition Of Refined Sculptures By ‘Shoaib Ahmed ‘The Dawn. May-2005 Wax Appeal by’ Quddus Mirza in ‘The News. May-2005 Amna’s Art Exhibit By’ Maira Fayyaz ‘‘The Nation. n
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Links: http://www.sevenartlimited.com/artist-1088.html www.vaslart.org http://www.aicongallery.com/artists/amna-ilyas/ http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/yourgallery/artist_ profile/Amna%20+Ilyas/117598.html http://www.cultureinside.com/en/member-profile. aspx/Member/amnailyas/ http://www.artslant.com/la/artists/show/121820- amna-ilyas n
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Heraa Khan b. 1989 Currently lives and works in Lahore, Pakistan heraakhan@gmail.com I heraakhan.wix.com/heraakhan Education 2012 Solo Exhibition 2012
BFA(Miniature Painting), National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan Together Alone, The Drawing Room Gallery, Lahore, Pakistan.
Group Exhibitions 2014 Group Show, Chawkandi Art Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan. 2013 Small Work , Taseer Art Gallery, Lahore, Pakistan. 2013 Common Dimensions-Evolution of miniature painting in Pakistan, Artscene Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan. 2013 Annual Exhibition for Young Artists, Alhamra Arts Council, Lahore, Pakistan. 2013 Three Is Not A Crowd, Rohtas Gallery, Islamabad, Pakistan. 2012 Thesis Display, National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan 2009 Annual Exhibition for Young Artists, Alhamra Arts Council, Lahore, Pakistan. Assistance 2011-2013
Assisted Aisha Khalid for her shows at Corvi Mora Gallery, London; Sharjah Biennale; Withworth art Gallery, Manchester; solo show at Isabelle Gallery Dubai, UAE; Art Basil Hongkong and Moscow Biennale, Moscow.
Teaching 2012-present
A-Level Art and Design, Beaconhouse School, Lahore, Pakistan.
Awards and Grants 2008-2012 Awarded merit based scholarship, National College of Arts, Lahore Pakistan. Reviews/Articles 2013 Schezee Zaidi, ‘’Portraying reality beyond creative confines’’, The News, 27 January. 2013 Webmaster, ‘’Three young artists aim for something deeper in their works’’, The Express Tribune, with the International Herald Tribune, 25 January . 2012 Sonia Malik, ‘’Art exhibition: Living in a bubble’’, The Express Tribune, with the International Herald Tribune, 5 December.
Maha Ahmed 102 Brands Hill Ave. High Wycombe, HP13 5PX | 07463777236 | maha.ahmed.q@gmail.com Education 2013-2015 MA Fine Art from Central Saint Martins, London, UK. 2008-2012 B.F.A in Miniature Painting from National College of Arts, Lahore Pakistan passed with 3.7 G.P.A. Minors: Printmaking, Sculpture, Calligraphy and drawing. Awards 2013 –2015 2008–2012 2008–2012 2005–2007
Recipient of Caspian Art Foundation Scholarship worth 25,000 GBP Graduated with Honors from the National College of Art, Lahore , Pakistan. Merit Scholarship at the National College of Art, Lahore Pakistan. Regional Distinction for Art and Design, GCE A levels.
Experience 2013 Aisha Khalid’s Studio as a Assistant Artist, helping with her installation work i.e. titled: Yourself or Yourself 2013 The Bridges School, Lahore Working as part time head designer. 2009-2012 Working as Curriculum Advisor Developed an overall project-based structure for after school clubs aiming to create awareness and understanding of creative, scientific and mathematical concepts in children Responsible for redesigning the interior of the classrooms to create a more visually stimulating environment 2012-2013
Working at The Reading Club, Lahore. There I realized that children in Pakistan need to be equip with basics of the English language to be successful so we started a reading and language club for children who were
otherwise not exposed. I created a curriculum that infused art with language: a child understands image before text, I tried to use that to enhance their understanding of language. It was a successful venture, as we have had almost fifty children come in and out of the program and we saw great progress.
2010
Working in Ustad Gohar Qalems’ Studio. Created surfaces and painted backgrounds of Ustad Gohar’s Calligraphy paintings
Solo Exhibitions 2014 ‘‘Out of the box’’ Fringe Art Fair , Bath Group Exhibitions 2013 Group show at Chawkandi art gallery, Karachi, Pakistan 2013 ‘ Tomorrow : Today’’ at Bargehouse, OXO Tower, London. 2013 ‘ Blackout’’ at The Drawing Room art gallery, Lahore, Pakistan. 2013 ‘ Three is not a crowd’’‘ at Rohtas II, Islamabad, Pakistan. 2012 ‘ Divergence‘‘ The Drawing Room art gallery, Lahore, Pakistan. 2012 ‘ Labrintour’’ Satrang Gallery, Islamabad, Pakistan. 2012 ‘ 000 Boxes’’ at No Format Gallery, London, England. 2012 ‘ Out of the Box’’ at Ink Spot Press, Brighton, England. 2012 ‘ Emerging Talent Feb’’ at VM Art Gallery Karachi, Pakistan 2012 ‘ Thesis Show’’ National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan. 2010-2011 ‘ Young Artists Exhibition’’ Alhamra Arts Council, Lahore, Pakistan. 2008 ‘ Transformation’’ Zahoor-ul-Ikhlaq Gallery, National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan.
Satrang Gallery Asma Rashid Khan - Director Schezre Syed - Assistant Curator Dhoufishan Raza - Assistant Curator
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