Self-reflection portraits by final year IMFA Kashmir university students gained a huge viewership and appreciation by senior artists and visitors.

“First of all, I am very Thankful to Kashmir art quest for providing a platform where we artists and students can display works and engage in different art activities. My 12 to 19 works are on display in the exhibition. Currently, I am pursuing a Bachelor of visual arts from Kashmir university. I started playing with colours in my childhood. I paint the images that hover in my mind to create a visual story for spectators. My 4ft x 2.5 ft self-reflection paintings, in the acrylic medium, are mirrors of the political personas of Kashmir. Although, I depict the displeasure and confusion of citizenship Including, doubts, socio-political confusions and personality traits. Syeed Teeli Said.”

I am also very Thankful to the IMFA principal, Concerned teacher Shawkat kathjoo and other teachers for their guidance. He added.

The Confluence 7th contemporary art exhibition was organized; by Kashmir Art Quest. An art foundation that is an international network of 1400 artists and hosted by ZMK Collective.

Former C.M Omer Abdullah tweeted, “Great effort by these young art curators. It’s on from the 16th for 2 days. Drop in & encourage them. You might find something you like.”

Artist Syed Mujtaba Rizvi, who is also the curator for the event, said: he spent time with victims of the conflict, such as Jana Begum, whose portrait displayed at the exhibition reads; 4 dead sons, widow of Karim.
I have painted 12 women who have either lost their near and dear ones or whose dear ones had become a victim of forced disappearance. It required a conversational approach with them. We need to reach out to such families and share their pain,” Rizvi said.

Among other artworks displayed includes the first lady sculptor of Jammu and Kashmir and Principal of Institute of music and fine-arts Kashmir university. Her wood sculptures have been catching the attention at the exhibition. Includes: artist Sameer Hussains painted discarded tube lights and bulbs, Titled: Body and Soul. The collection of artworks includes old tube lights and bulbs that have been artistical; painted from the inside.

The exhibition is a collection of varying artworks such as creative landscapes by artist Naushad Gayoor to watercolour and acrylic paintings by artist Yousuf Naqshbandi who had even showcased his artworks from his student days.

Zoya Khan of ZMK Collective is hosting the Confluence exhibition.
“It is a platform for artists with creative backgrounds who belong to varying age groups and come from different social and economic backgrounds. The exhibition offers artworks ranging from Rs 1000 to a painting costing Rs 2.20 lakhs. A similar Painting would cost double its price in an art gallery outside Kashmir. So quite affordable prices are being offered at the exhibition.” Khan said.

Source: GK, 16 Sep 2017, 11:37 am