PRESS RELEASE
Tradition, Technique, Technology – II ; Contemporary artists from Pakistan
Featuring Farida Batool, Adeela Suleman and Ayaz Jokhio
Aicon Gallery, Palo Alto
July 17 – August 30
Opening Reception, Friday July 18, 2008, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
"New subjects are being broached in an age old art form. Questions are being asked and all kinds of issues are being raised, may they be political, social or gender based. There is a whole new vocabulary of symbolism coming into being."
-Ayesha Durrani
Palo Alto, July 18, 2008 - Aicon Gallery, 535 Bryant Street, Palo Alto, CA, presents a group show of contemporary Pakistani artists; Farida Batool, Adeela Suleman and Ayaz Jokhio. These artists are being presented for the first time at Aicon Gallery, though they have exhibited internationally already. This exhibition is a collaboration with Canvas Gallery, Karachi.
Priding itself like most societies on its rich heritage, Pakistan struggles with the dilemma of how to deal with her history. Past can turn into a disturbing and often damaging force for all spheres of life. The past presents itself as an ideal solution or formula for challenging the present and this accumulation of conventions and well-tried methods can pose a burden for those living in a post modern age.
Working separately in Lahore and Karachi, these three artists reference the transformation of heritage as a means of identifying the urgency to address issues of violence, sexuality and stereotyping. The artists included in this exhibition each take a unique approach to their art and its history that both challenges the viewer and allows for individual interpretations.
Farida Batool approaches Pakistan's history of conflict and violence with poignant photography that juxtaposes destruction against revitalization. Her images are gritty and unforgiving, but the feeling of hope and life are unmistakable in her work. The expression of these two ideas in tandem give way to a larger idea: that of the past and the future.
Adeela Suleman's metallic sculptures are almost antiseptic in their cold, hard appearance – but in actuality the works are representative of something far more soft and organic than one might assume. The pieces of her constructions come together to form seemingly lifelike skeletons, suggestive forms that hint at an unabashed sensuality that lies beyond the viewer's primary assessment.
Ayaz Jokhio puts forth his own opinion through his work, which addresses the dangers of labeling and stereotyping. The artist draws seemingly diverse objects in groups, representing a habit of labeling much more important things – human beings – illogically and unreasonably.
Each of these artists has followed their own path in addressing Pakistan's past, its customs, and its pitfalls – and at the same time, all three have represented a strong step toward the future.
For further information and images please contact Shona Dutta, Gallery Director, at 650.321.4900 or shona@aicongallery.com