It is always a thrill for art lovers to discover new artists and to view the world through their eyes. They have the freedom to choose their subjects, the dimensions and the material used in the process of creating the painting. One is aware that it was artists who broke the hold of the academics in years past and made it possible for new art movements to emerge. This freedom did not enable artists to sell their work easily – one must remember Vincent van Gogh sold only one painting during his lifetime, but his legacy to future generations will last for all times to come.

Full Circle Gallery takes pleasure in showing the work of young, unknown artists as well as the work of the Masters.

It was this very gallery which dedicated one room to the work of the Late Tassaduq Sohail where a selection of the artists’ work was shown.

An exhibition titled Seen/ Unseen, is the work of Abdul Malik Channa, a graduate of the National College of Arts, and Habib Phulpoto from the Centre of Excellence in Arts and Design (CEAD), Jamshoro.

Channa chose to create his series of work for art lovers who visit the gallery. “Art lovers are a true source of motivation for an artist to create and produce artwork. I love and enjoy their expressions, indulgence and the gesture of love for art when they visit an art gallery. The art lovers and admirers are as much important as art itself. My work is a tribute to the respected art lovers, admirers and supporters of the artists,” he expresses.

Gazing at the artist’s work, one was delighted by his use of materials – acrylic and graphite on canvas. The wonderful shades and textures created with a few colours and the use of light and shade introduced the mastery of the artist’s media. In his work, he observed visitors with arms crossed, gazing thoughtfully at the work.

In his work the artist creates the suggestion of a profile with loosely tied hair. The colours of the garments worn by the art gallery visitors were carefully chosen and in his work, he made sure the figure was very much part of the art; a sincere compliment from the artist.

Abdul Malik Channa, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Painting) from the National College of Arts (NCA) in 2000, has enjoyed considerable experience of various art activities, working with films, and from 2002 until 2013 he was an illustrator at Oxford University Press, Karachi.

Channa has been a faculty member of the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS), Karachi and is currently a Lecturer at CEAD, MUET University, Jamshoro.

The artist, who has participated in several exhibitions in Lahore and Karachi, held a solo exhibition of his work at the International Club Lahore.

Five artworks of Habib Phulpota in the show were created with the use of pencil, colour pencil and watercolour on paper, titled, Your dreams are like seeds; Dream – Action – Success.

“Our dreams are like seeds, by looking at any single grain/ seed it always comes to my mind that it gives birth to so many. It will make many lives. The same way dreams are working on our lives like seeds that give birth to our actions, and our success consists of our actions. I found these grains very interesting to elaborate my idea. I have drawn my seeds on a large scale to suggest in my work that we must work for our dreams positively,” he said.

Phulpota’s work is extremely interesting and suggestive of so many moods. Using his media with great delicacy, the artist creates large, single seeds in different stages of development, and in the process, offers fascinating and suggestive glimpses of what is inside.

Phulpota, who graduated from the CEAD in 2010 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, has also gathered experience of art in a wide range, as well as teaching, with faculty experience at the IVS; he has curated exhibitions at the VM Gallery, Karachi and the IVS Gallery too. Phulpota has participated in several group shows in Karachi and Lahore, and has now teamed up with Channa for Seen/ Unseen. Viewing the work of the artists, one discovers work that is intrinsically linked to the cultural climate of the times. •