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Chairman CDA Cap (retd) Muhammad Usman Younis inaugurates an exhibition of Calligraphic paintings at Islamabad Art Gallery in F-9 Park

ISLAMABAD, Nov 26 (SABAH): An exhibition of Calligraphic paintings was inaugurated at Islamabad Art Gallery located in F-9 Park, Islamabad on Saturday.

The exhibition was the first ever one person exhibition of calligraphic paintings. It was inaugurated by Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Captain (retd) Muhammad Usman Younis along with Member Environment CDA Waqas Hanif and was also attended by a large number of art lovers in the newest cultural space of Islamabad Art Gallery in the middle of F-9 Park. The exhibition will continue for two weeks.

Talking to “SABAH”, renowned artist and producer Jamal Shah said, “Art is an essential part of our lives as it balances our lives.” He termed the inauguration of a new art gallery in F-9 Park, Islamabad as a prudent decision by the former chairman of Capital Development Authority (CDA). This art gallery would add a wonderful milestone to the cultural infrastructure of Islamabad, he added.

He hoped the gallery will promote art and culture and create opportunities for emerging artists. When asked how long ago he commenced working as an artist, he replied, “Pakistan Television introduced me. I began working in 1975. It is my passion.”

Artist Shela Tiwana said, “I feel that I was born with a passion for colors and an innate aesthetic sense. My late father was also an amazing sketch artist and I learned a lot from him. Later I found my mentor, Sir Saeed Akhtar, he made me the painter I am today. He fine-tuned my arty instincts and encouraged me to experiment with different subjects like nature, portraits, history, animals, calligraphy. My work explores universal values of love, life, faith, prayer, beauty, and the divine that synthesizes feelings and pictograms through lettering.”

She further said, “I feel an artist is not about just being a painter, my art is evident in whatever work I do. I learned photography from well-known American photographer Malcolm. Whichever field of work I did, be it photography, makeup or dress designing, my core aim was to deliver something artistic and stylish.  I firmly believe that such a creative mind, talent that can actually cover so many fields and it is purely a gift of Almighty Allah.”

“I have been doing different subjects mostly horses and flowers however now I am more focused on doing Islamic calligraphy, I believe Islamic calligraphy is not like ordinary writing meant for ordinary communication, it beautifies the creator’s revelations with colors and writing,” she remarked. 

Louis Philippe, a visitor at the exhibition from Brazil, said that this art gallery was built at a proper place and surrounded by a natural environment. He said, “I have not seen such a gallery throughout Pakistan. Paintings over here are eye-catchy. I will remember them throughout my life.”