Ahsen Asif & Rabia Dawood Home | Current Issue | Ahsen Asif & Rabia Dawood Femme Orientale By Shamim Akhter Figurative Painting, though relatively simple as an isolated concept, has taken on a multitude of different forms throughout the history of art and has been interpreted in countless different ways by the artists who have created it. At its core, the term refers to real figure-based representation but, as the body of work in this manner is evidence, the premise of a figure is often the only element that certain figurative paintings have in common with each other. Each piece functions through a shared iconic vocabulary that allows viewers to connect individually meaningless shapes to familiar subject matter. It is unimportant that a particular physical attribute in the painting be true to life as long as it can be collectively understood by a given symbol. Beyond that, there are virtually no limitations on a figurative painting’s visual possibilities; it has only to succeed in presenting a universally readable image. Initially, discrepancies between figurative images were rooted in varying levels of technical skill and a long-standing divide between idealization and realism. When photography eventually rendered portraiture obsolete and modern abstraction pushed the limits of expression, this genre of painting began to incorporate more interpretive, individualistic approaches to representation. The human figure has been a central focus in artistic cultures throughout history and today is no different; the urge to record, invent, and manipulate the human image continues to captivate the attentions of artists and inspire the creation of innovative, challenging work. Creative Art Gallery recently hosted an exhibition of paintings by two promising artists Ahsen Asif & Rabia Dawood. Lahore based Ashen Asif is a graduate with honours in Fine Arts from National College of Arts, Lahore; Rabia Dawood went through the mill. After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Science in 1st Division from Sir Syed Govt. Girls College 2002, she did a two-month certificate course in Painting from Sadequain Institute of Art 2002; in 2003 she did a six-month course in Fine Arts from North City School of Art and finally she attended Karachi School of Art for four years to get a diploma in Fine Arts 2007. Common element between Asif and Dawood is the subject matter they opt for. Both of them express their anxieties, emotions and creativity through figurative work. After this they depart from each other in concepy. Asif chooses to work on female figure whereas on Dawood’s canvases male form stands by the female. Rabia Dawood incorporates aesthetic effects by design, whereas Asif manipulates female form; his work is layered and textured. Rabia Dawood’s palette is colourful; Asif limits himself to grey tones. There is a touch of inspiration on Dawood’s canvases derived from contemporary miniature painters who work on a large scale canvas. She creates a dialogue on canvases containing male and female figures; female by herself on her canvases seems to be involved in a discourse within herself. These nuances render a quality of communication to her work. Rabia Dawood has been participating in group exhibitions since 2004. She worked as a painting teacher at Karachi School of Art; she was a Thesis Advisor of Fine Art Dept at Karachi School of Art and has also undertaken four weeks Drawing Workshop at Karachi School of Art. Asif concentrates on shape, mass, volume, texture and light and play of dark. He deploys these elements to create an impression or illusion of form and space, to create emphasis in the narrative portrayed. Asif takes the Female Figure as a part of nature. This natural phenomenon symbolizes the mystery of ancient creation. He says: “God has gifted woman with beauty, elegance, mysteriousness, wisdom and power of birth. My palatte expresses my vision on a particular subject. As an artist with a creative mind I try to understand and rationalize these aspects and express them in my work.” Currently Asif is teaching at COMSATS department of design and architecture (foundation). He has also taught Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design. He attended a training workshop conducted by German Consultant Mr. Lenschow in teaching methodology and design at PIFD 2009-2011. In 2010 and 2008 he has served as a juror at Faisalabad University (department of fine Arts) Degree show evaluation (Painting and miniature). Earlier in 2001 to 2007 he was faculty National College of Arts, Lahore. He is running Art studio (Painting & Drawing) in Lahore. He has participated in many group exhibitions; he also has to his credit more than ten solo shows.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Nov 2013 20:41:36 +0000
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