Lahore Series- Paintings
Part 1- Paintings
Concept Summary:
The heart of Lahore lies not in its physical location, but in the souls of those who call it home. Evading its grasp is futile, for Lahore has a way of permeating one's existence.
This series takes a whimsical look at Lahore's culture, traditions, and memories, all viewed through a cyclical lens of personal growth. Using vivid animal symbolism, I explore the concept of the "traveler" - a being that embodies both prey and predator, metamorphosing at each stage of life. The traveler is me, and it is also you - a constant presence, dying and reborn again. While the traveler serves as the series' focal point, the surrounding setting and animal characters also transform, each exhibiting unique human traits hidden beneath their skins. Split into six different settings, this series reimagines Lahore, showcasing its people and their characteristics through a unique visual language.
-Inspirations
- Composition Planning
1) Deception of Ignorance
Watercolor and color pencils on paper
Drawing- 24.5 x 21 in
2023
This artwork delves into the theme of innocence by crafting a serene Lahori summer scene, set in a reimagined backyard of the artist's childhood home. The painting blends reality with the artist's imaginative touch, thereby creating an alluring image that blurs the line between fact and fiction. The artwork captures the concept of blissful ignorance and acknowledges the lurking dangers that remain omnipresent. It vividly embodies a state of cluelessness, evoking a sense of purity and naivety, unadulterated by the harsh realities of life. However, this false sense of comfort is short-lived, for lurking dangers inevitably come to light.
2) A Game of Cat and Fish
Watercolor and color pencils on paper
Drawing- 24.5 x 21 in
2023
In this artwork, Lahore and illusions are like two peas in a pod. The painting is set in a bustling Lahori fish market, creating a visual narrative that delves into the theme of fantasy while alluding to a sense of false reality. The chaotic scene depicted in the painting is deceptively hidden in plain sight, presenting a facade that can only be deciphered if one knows what to look for.
3) Trickster’s Truth
Watercolor, Gouache and color pencils on paper
Drawing- 24.5 x 21 in
2023
Crafted as a dramatic act of deception, Betrayal and Broken Illusions showcase the tools of deceit. The scene is set within a magic show, where the curtains lift unveiling the deception and revealing the harsh realities of the world. The travelers’ self-sabotage becomes evident as the true nature of the world comes to light, and the lies that were woven to create a false reality come crumbling down. The revealed jarring truth serves as a harsh awakening from the ignorant bliss of the past, exposing the harsh realities of the present.
4) Nature’s Fury
Watercolor and color pencils on paper
Drawing- 24.5 x 21 in
2023
As Betrayal seeps in, it brings with it a raging anger that clouds the very notion of reality. Evoking a sense of turmoil and conflict, this scene portrays the aftermath of ensuing anger. The desperation for survival muddles the clarity of reality, creating a state of confusion. However, the world operates on a natural selection policy, and time is of the essence. The artwork depicts a battle between opposing internal forces, representing the struggle between conflicting ideas and realities. In this fight for survival, only one can emerge victorious, with the other fading away into the depths of obscurity.
5) The Animal Kingdoms Game Theory
Watercolor and color pencils on paper
Drawing- 24.5 x 21 in
2023
Trapped in a state of limbo, the desperate travelers engage in a precarious game of bargaining for their very lives. This surreal scene depicts a group of animals leaving their fates to the mercy of luck and chance. Will their hearts hold more value than their heads? What parts of themselves will they have to trade to survive? The questions posed by this artwork highlight the harsh realities of life, where survival often requires sacrificing parts of oneself to ensure the continuation of the whole.
6) The Way Forward
Watercolor and color pencils on paper
Drawing- 24.5 x 21 in
2023
As we come full circle, the harsh realities of the world demand that we accept and coexist with the aspects of ourselves that we long to suppress. Innocence and ignorance offer a temporary shield of protection from the harshness of life, but they also provide a false sense of reality. When betrayal and anger become overwhelming, illusions can serve as a comforting balm. And when luck runs out, bargaining may offer a fair trade. This interplay between reality and illusion highlights the delicate balance we must maintain in order to navigate life's challenges.