Born 1972, Hyderabad, Sindh; lives and works in Lahore

Moderate Enlightenment
2007
Gouache on wasli
H. 9 x W. 7 in. (22.9 x 17.8 cm)
Aicon Gallery, New York
Image courtesy of Gerald Lerner

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Moderate Enlightenment
2007
Gouache on wasli
H. 9 x W. 7 in. (22.9 x 17.8 cm)
Aicon Gallery, New York
Image courtesy of Gerald Lerner

Enlarge

The Moderate Enlightenment series, made up of thirteen figurative works, deals with the socio-political issues that most of the world is currently facing. The works are created in the tradition of Mughal miniature paintings, in which a single standing historical figure is often depicted, and explore the relevance of this motif in contemporary miniature painting. The works portray religious people carrying out everyday activities, such as working out, enjoying nature, and reading. When viewed in the context of Pakistani society, viewers may read such activities in a very different light. For example, the fashionable camouflaged socks worn by one figure become a threatening gesture instead of a fashion statement. I have deliberately used three colors repeatedly in each of the works: red, white, and blue, inspired by the colors of the American flag.

The site-specific work I have created for Asia Society’s exhibition deals with the idea of life and its destruction. While the scale, medium, and imagery of the work is very different from that of miniature painting, when viewed together, one can find similarities between the two different approaches that allow them to be experienced in a completely different way.