ARTSOCH CONTEMPORARY
Exhibition
ARTSOCH CONTEMPORARY
Exhibition
There is a saying, “Art is the triumph over chaos” that’s what ArtSoch believes in. Our gallery promotes a wide range of contemporary pieces of art from creative artists who are well versed in a variety of subjects and mediums. We display this through our exhibitions from time to time. Check out our recent exhibitions here.
Current Exhibition
24th, November, 2023
DASTAN KISA KAHANI
ArtSoch Contemporary, MM Alam Road, Gulberg III.
In a world increasingly dominated by digital communication, Hassnain’s work serves as a poignant exploration of the profound connection between personal history and the tactile, enduring nature of paper. The artist’s statement illuminates the essence of this collection, which delves into the realm of archival records, meticulously chosen for their cultural, historical, or evidentiary significance. These records, often relegated to the quiet confines of permanent preservation, emerge into the forefront of artistic inquiry through Hassnain’s lens.
The core theme of the exhibition lies in the artist’s fascination with the tangible, the individual, and the ephemeral nature of memories. Hassnain directs our attention to the peculiar beauty found in the physicality of personalized papers, letters, and envelopes — artifacts of communication imbued with emotional weight. As the contemporary world witnesses a gradual departure from these tangible forms of expression, Hassnain invites viewers to reconsider the irreplaceable value inherent in these relics of a bygone era.
The artworks themselves serve as visual poetry, a testament to the artist’s keen ability to translate complex emotional landscapes onto the canvas. Through a skillful interplay of color, form, and texture, Hassnain captures the essence of societal norms embedded within these personalized papers. Each piece becomes a cipher, inviting viewers to decipher the layers of meaning woven into the visual tapestry.
Furthermore, Hassnain’s exploration of memory adds a nuanced dimension to the exhibition. Memories, fragile and prone to fading, become a central motif. The artist skillfully parallels the transience of memories with the impermanence of paper, drawing attention to the shared vulnerability inherent in both. The act of etching memories onto paper becomes a metaphorical gesture, emphasizing the importance of preserving and cherishing the narratives that shape our individual and collective identities.
In essence, Hassnain’s body of work serves as a visual archive, not only of personal histories but also of broader societal shifts. The exhibition invites contemplation on the evolving nature of communication, memory, and the enduring significance of the written word. Through this evocative collection, viewers are encouraged to reflect on the profound emotional resonance found within the intimate details of personalized papers and the rich tapestry of human connection they represent.
Recent Exhibitions
20th, October, 2023
THE ENIGMA WITHIN
ArtSoch Contemporary, MM Alam Road, Gulberg III.
Raza’s work is deeply rooted in the philosophy of Pain and Suffering,
predominantly inspired from an epic poem, “The Divine Comedy” by
Dante Alighieri, an Italian poet who lived in the 13th and 14th centuries.
In Dante’s vision, suffering and pain are manifestations of divine justice.
He believed that individuals are rewarded or punished in the afterlife
based on their earthly actions and moral choices. Those who have sinned
and turned away from God’s grace are condemned to suffer in Hell, while
those who have repented and sought forgiveness have the chance to
progress through Purgatory and eventually reach Heaven. The
“Purgatorio” section of the poem is dedicated to the souls who are on a
journey of purification and penance, seeking to cleanse themselves of
their sins and ultimately attain salvation. Here, suffering is seen as a
means of spiritual growth and a path to reconciliation with God.
1st, September, 2023
AIK KAHANI SAU AFSANAY
Artsoch Contemporary, MM Alam Raod, Gulberg III.
“AikKahaniSauAfsanay” is part of a captivating series of shows with diverse themes, each distinguished by its unique thematic exploration. In this edition, the spotlight falls on ‘KuchAurAnkahi Si Kahaneeyan’ (Some More Untold Stories), where artists ingeniously weave narratives that intertwine with varied elements of artistic expression. The artists are given an unbridled canvas to articulate their tales through an array of mediums and styles, thereby fostering a splendid tapestry of artistic diversity.
The exhibition’s vision is to curate an art exhibition that covers in a multidimensional and immersive journey. Each artwork serves as a pivotal chapter, collectively forming an intricate narrative tapestry that indicates viewers to extract the concealed narratives covered within the art’s layers. The goal is to captivate the audience, catalyze reflection, and cultivate a profound admiration for the intricate art of storytelling.
18th, August, 2023
The Hue's of divinity
“You think you are a small entity, but within you is enfolded the entire Universe”.
-Imam Ali (AS)
While viewing, Muhammad Abrar’s recent body of works this quote kept whispering in my head.
His new body of works consists of 100 names of Allah which took him almost ten years to build and execute the idea. Meticulously made to perfection, each work carries its own aura through its color choice and composition, through using tedious technique of hand cutting of intricate square paper tiles in various colors. His work development involves deep but coherent thinking and painstaking process of compiling intricate titles to render his artworks while using Arabic text as anchor to the artwork.
Viewing his artworks as whole collection reminds you of the Supreme creator- Allah and His infinite attributes we experience in our daily life through Himself and his other creations. Abrar’s show carries the entire philosophy of Islam and its aesthetics; indeed a finest example of contemporary Islamic Art to its core.
21st, July, 2023
The summer show
The summer season is a time of warmth, vibrancy, and creativity. It is a season that brings with it a sense of freedom, adventure, and exploration. The long days and balmy evenings provide the perfect backdrop for artists to critically engage in their art practice. Summer, with its abundance of natural beauty, rich colors, and festive energy, offers artists a unique environment for inspiration and experimentation in their creative pursuits.
Contemporary art, by its very nature, pushes boundaries, challenges conventions, and reflects the ever-evolving world around us. It is a form of art that is constantly changing and adapting to the contemporary society and culture. Summer, with its dynamic atmosphere, offers artists an opportunity to capture the essence of the season through their art, a season in which all fruits ripe. The warm weather allow them to get functioning in outdoor activities and longer days provide ample time and space for artists to immerse themselves in their creative process and push the limits of their artistic abilities.
In Pakistan, summer is the longest season of all, a season for a break and re- boot. We look forward to celebrate a group of young and emerging artists to showcase their artworks at ArtSoch Contemporary.
16th, June, 2023
I am the miracle
The term “miracle” in Buddhism can refer to extraordinary abilities or powers that can be developed through advanced meditation practice. These abilities are not considered the ultimate goal but are seen as byproducts of spiritual development. The Buddha taught that all sentient beings possess the innate potential to awaken and free themselves from suffering. This awakening is often referred to as realizing one’s own Buddha-nature or Buddha-potential. It is not limited to any particular individual but is accessible to anyone who follows the path of mindfulness and tranquility ; to experience profound transformation and liberation.
Sumera Jawad in her solo show, I am the Miracle, explores the notion of liberation and transformation through her own lens as women artist from this region. During her on- going research and field trips at ancient Gandara site Taxila, she finds lack of female figure depiction in both sculpture and relief in comparison to male figure presence; Even though the whole philosophy of Buddhism lies in gender less soul. Whereas, Ironically, Jawad’s lifelong art practice solely spun around concerns correlated to women’s identity and her existence in South Asian culture. Her earlier practice queried how role of women has been always scrutinized through the patriarchal society and struggle to find her true self.
17th, May, 2023
Meray Dil Meray Musafir
What does a soul need? What could a soul comprise of? The answer may rest within the circumstances and the alterations it goes through during the time it spends on this earth. The show “Mere Dil Mere Musafir: Tracing the Belongings” embodies the various distinctions of an expat’s life ontology; an emotive voyage of being and becoming.
When a bird creates its nest, it does so where it feels safe. This often involves a long process of interweaving sturdy materials to form a base by adding layers of softer materials like grass, leaves, or feathers to provide a comfortable lining. They may also use mud or saliva to help secure and strengthen the nest. Likewise, humans, when they travel from one place to another in search of a new home, gather small fragments of their identity in the form of language, traditions, food, and morality to create their own nest of comfort. Qinza Najm, in her recent solo presentation, is no less than a resilient bird creating an outstanding body of work embracing her experience of twenty-five years of living between America and Pakistan; a global traveler. She aims to excavate the idea of homeland beyond borders and rupture the impulse of belonging.
9th, March, 2023
What The Land Knows, The Hearts Remember
Pakistan is a country of numerous ancient civilizations and histories sedimented in both land and water in and around our very permeable borders. To the keen eye of a sensitive artist, they reveal entangled narratives and ecologies across time and space. These narratives are shaped by a multitude of factors from our very dynamic history which is not just limited to being a larger collective of people of one faith.
What the land knows, the hearts remember – is a group show bringing four female Pakistani artists from across the globe together to explore this relationship that their practice forms with their land.
14th, February, 2023
Khail Tamasha
“Khail Tamasha” embody various nuances of disparity found in our surrounding. Trained in Mughal Miniature style painting both artists take visual symbology from history and present to embodies concepts like Power, Beauty, Religion and Politics. The works are reflection of the life we live in times of social media and chaos where lines between real or forged has become blurred so hence our very existence is dependent on either to play or to be played.
20th, January, 2023
Pro (re) gress
Imran Ahmed goes as far back as 7000 years to seek the inspiration and motifs for his most recent works. The seated, bird-faced mother goddesses of Mehrgarh rendered in black, pink, green, yellow, and violet colors smoothen their features, assume the standing postures reminiscent of the Mohenjo daro’s dancing girl. The dazzling beauty of these works lies in the harmonious balance between the sensual and the sacred, the human and the animal, action and in-action, form and color. Or perhaps it’s an attempt to transcend the binaries and dualities, a tangible samaadh like the seamlessly merged contours of the rider and what’s being ridden in the wooden sculptures placed in the middle of this exhibition. Imran’s virtuosity as a sculptor who has worked intimately with multiple mediums such as clay, metal, and textile. On canvas as he moulds the shapes and modulates the interplay between the figures and their environs. In the sparse universe of his relatively wide canvases he generously offers us the meditative spaces to redeem the lost ancient moments of reverence, innocence, gratitude, and an aesthetic equanimity as exemplified in the mutually bowed figures of a man and a bull with interlaced arms and horns in “Neither of Either”. In the era of commodified deities guiding our gold dusted ambitions, these works invite us to unearth and appreciate, or at least nod in acknowledgment to our primal instincts as hunters, dancers, poets, artisans, and artists whose works can’t simply be tagged and showcased but naturally cohabit the temple, home, museum, theater, street and all that lies between the hieroglyphs and graffiti.
23rd, December, 2022
Contemplating Chaos
Beyond the physical manifestation of every space and text.
25th, November, 2022
Tales Untold
“Art is the lie that enables us to realize the truth.”
― Pablo Picasso
The idea of image making may come from a visual element around us but the process of artmaking lies beneath the depth of sub-conscious mind. The simple decision of image making starts from pretense and manipulation of various visual references to create analogies to what artist want to depict. The rest process occurs in a mysterious way, sometime images become mere an illustration story they want to tell and sometimes the process led them to bring forth an imagery they have not thought off. In both cases what comes across is a self-reflection for the artist and a tale to the viewer!
The real soul of contemporary art sets on the grounds of ambiguity, newness and experimentation in not just the concept but ability to use diverse mediums in creation of their art work. An artwork is reflection to what an artist wants or not wants; within that space lies the real tale of human emotions and the unknown. All artists are produced artworks without any restrain to follow a theme or outline; be yourself.
4th, November, 2022
Transcending Traditions
Art can be both rooted in history and a catalyst for change in a culture. It connects people with the same culture to their past and collective history. Art highlights hurdles in today’s time and yet dares to coexist with traditions. Throughout mankind Art has been the strongest tool of communication, documentation and reflection of a society.
The Indo-Pak region is rich with historic and cultural diversity encompassing world class artisans and exquisite crafts handed from generation to generation. The artists will be requested to incorporate those traditional aspects into their contemporary art practices with relevance to today’s prevalent issues. The exhibition will bring forth artwork from outstanding artists, both established and emerging from all over Pakistan.
13th, October, 2022
Rhythmic Stillness
The exhibition encompasses works by three talented artists working in the style of abstraction while taking a minimalistic approach towards color and linear forms yet incorporating the power of repetition and intricate mark-making. As a curator, I was fascinated with the mechanical quality found in their drawings creating optical illusions for the spectator; as if they are moving in all directions putting the viewer in a trance-like space. This magical quality in their work has led me to do more research on artists practicing in this style and interestingly they all belong to same regional belt of Sindh. The Art’s and Craftsmanship from this soil seem to be encoded with thousands of years of experience and ancestral history. The land has seen it all, from the most progressive civilization like Indus to arrival of Saints and Sufi literature. To me, all three practitioners carry the same essence of an evolved DNA and collective consciousness of that region.
2nd, September, 2022
Objects of Elegance & BeLonging
The exhibition “Objects of Elegance and Belonging” encompasses artworks in the form of small objects which can be also worn as statement jewelry pieces. The exhibition highlights seeing small objects as a form of jewelry; a thing to connect, possess and adorn.
Umar’s recent body of work is inspired from his association with traditional objects particularly liquid containers(metal jugs, Sorahi) which he used to witness in his day-to-day life as a child but with the passing time such traditional objects kept vanishing from our culture especially with industrialization and popularity of new materials like plastic. Each piece in collection is finely hand crafted in pure silver with delicate finishing to its best.
On other hand, Shazia’s work explores oxymoronic dialogue between jewelry as a accessory of embellishment and yet she challenges to change this norm and aesthetics on how traditionally jewelry was made. In her current body of works she has taken minimalistic approach towards form, color and the medium to bring forth a contemporary language of design and enhancement. Exquisitely crafted in porcelain these 3d organic forms can be seen as objects of elegance and simplicity
5th, August, 2022
Desires That Remain
Sometimes silhouettes are convincing enough to lead the observers consciously or unconsciously in a state making them narrate their own stories based on their imagination and mental state. “Desires that remain” is a body of work which invites the spectators to experience the work and construct their own narratives as well as understand the artist’s perspective.
Purpose of the show was to build a body of work where viewer’s participation augment the narrative. This exhibition also invites the visitors to rethink miniature painting as an art form that contains not only the past through its historical, social, aesthetical aspects but also retains the future through them.
27th, May, 2022
Affirmations
Text plays a role beyond communication. It has a lot to do with one’s identity and expression. Throughout traditions in various cultures text has been seen as both sacred and profane.
The significance of text plays a profound role in power play. It has been used as a tool not just to create visions but to see within yourself. Playing a vital role in movements and petitions.
In this particular exhibition we look forward to artworks created by 6 different artists from different regions of Pakistan bringing their own distinctive narrative and diversity of how text can be seen.
24th, March, 2022
Mind Games-An insight to Cultural Dualism
The exhibition “Mind Games”encompasses various facets of Cultural Dualism one finds in everyday interactions. The Inter-Disciplinary artist Qinza Najm is interested what lies between opposites ; mind and body, matter and spirit, being and thought . Academically trained as a psychologist, her core research has always overlapped and investigated human behaviours and their capacity to adapt. Living between distinctive cultures led her to open new paradigms of dialogue and duality one encounters in gender roles, power and control and re-inventing traditions.
Through her current body of work she questions the various nuances of social norms and individual transformation in challenging times. She uses the metaphor of a zipper – an apparel accessory to conceal or expose an entry point to highlight various allegories of modern times. To be concise her current practice invites us to experience an encounter between East and West, and between technology and craftsmanship.
17th, Feb, 2022
Braiding The Seen & Unseen
ArtSoch Contemporary, MM Alam Road, Gulberg III.
24th, Nov, 2021
Sociology is not common sense
Sadia’s works have a recurring theme of being surrounded and comforted by nature as she often finds herself seeking solace, peace and quiet of her garden. This is reflected in her artworks sometimes as stylized trees, branches and flowers providing color, sometimes providing warmth and sometimes acting as doorways to new paths to venture. All reiterating her tender emotions, to not give into despair and lose hope and become stagnant as she faces different hardships in life with uproar of troubled relationships, anguish and sorrow at the duplicity of people where only nature is constant and true to itself and gives her courage to be strong, confident, nurturing and growing despite what life throws at her.
1st, Oct, 2021
Solitude is Togetherness
29th, Oct, 2021
Transmuting Beings
25th, June, 2021
vision weaver
Throughout this exhibition, titled Vision Weavers. we look forward to collaborating applauding, researching and documenting these noteworthy names of our visual art community, both formerly and presently affiliated with these professions as their distinct practices embody prevalent dogmas and concerns. The idea is to bring forth and explore their practices beneath the lens of theoretical and visual language whereas questioning the evolution of techniques coming from various localities hence a forecast to contemporary art from Pakistan.
ArtSoch Contemporary believes in multiplicity of views, creating new opportunities and representing Pakistani Art globally and vice versa. We envision cultural diversity as an essential medium for development and creativity. We highly value our nation’s art professionals and truly appreciate their efforts towards this sector and take pride in the fact that they not only inspire young minds but also play a great role as mentors.
16th, Sep, 2021
BEYOND NARRATIVE
27th, AUG 2021
Letters to pakistan
In August, 2021, Pakistan is 74 years old, nurturing us and our ancestors; providing a sense of identity and belonging. A region with history and culture of most primogenital civilization seeks new narratives to reclaim its glorious past . The exhibition ‘Letters to Pakistan’ looks forward to ponder and explore one’s inner feelings as a citizen of this country, a deep down conversation to Self and Nation. Fourteen young artists are presenting an A4 size symbolic letter in style of their individual practice in various genre and form. The letter is further decoded in a small paragraph written in text with each artwork and serve as communication tool to unfold their concerns, memoirs and wishes / vision for their motherland. Through this exhibition we aim to document a dialogue with prevalent apprehensions and intimate conversation between the land and its inhabitants. I am pleased to see, the overall submissions of the artworks that are spot –on and prevalent to current alarming scenario of the Nation! Indeed the art is most sublet yet pensive
way to address the inmost facets of a Society
