Joining Forces @ Taseer Art Gallery, Lahore
The elephant series is an artist’s collaboration Imran Haider, Asif Sharif and Kausar Iqbal) which serves as a source of inspiration on different levels. At this point not only the character of elephant, though it holds central position, but also the element of star, rope, prayer mat, circle and color work as motif.
The character of elephant takes a new turn here being a messenger of connecting present with the glorious past for a promising future. The rope becomes an agent of joining forces between times and to end up the void between man and his self. The series captures the degradation of modern society owing to deterioration of traditional values. The rope connects the modern society on national, religions and ethnic level as it is the revival and restoration of past values where the true hope for a bright future lies. In this way the work not only identifies the problems but moves towards a more hopeful note- the solution.
The symbols work not only as a source of artistic inspiration but also on building awareness and education. In a subtle way, it highlights the harms of believing what is seeing.
The work encompasses different aspects of human life from personal to national to religious and ethnic level. The circle becomes an important image to evoke the people to think beyond their imaginary boundaries, realize themselves as members of the same community sharing a single planet. In this way the work comes to gather a universal approach inducing the people all over the world to come out of their circles and think beyond their imaginary boundaries. It tends to suggest that differences and problems all over the world can be removed if only we get ourselves out of the delusion of our own truths. All the elements in the series in one way or the other highlight this issue and the center lies in the representation of elephant as a symbol of hope and recovery on different levels.
The bandaged elephant becomes a representation for a society that is suffering but can be healed.
The five pointed star becomes not only an emblem for five fingers to represent unity but also a hallmark for the restoration of old values and a dire need for a change. The flowers and patterns make us idealize a beautiful world which can be found if differences are expelled they make us look to a fresh and blooming future. The colors in the series also reflect certain aspects of nature and formulate an association with human life, beliefs and nations.
The green color becomes not only a symbol for active nature but also builds up national and religious association. The cracks on the mat highlight different ethnic and religious issues damaging our roots and destroying the very earth beneath our feet. So there is a dire need to stand out, to awake the conscience and to live with dignity and grace and hence to connect strongly with the past.
The work encompasses certain aspects of human life which complete the circle of one’s life on different levels. The work though deeply religious and national in its essence presents the dilemmas of human life which make it universal in nature. The whole impact it creates is positive by not just depicting the burning problems but also the healing aspects. It reflects optimism as it shows a way to humanity to be good, to be healed again.
The character of elephant takes a new turn here being a messenger of connecting present with the glorious past for a promising future. The rope becomes an agent of joining forces between times and to end up the void between man and his self. The series captures the degradation of modern society owing to deterioration of traditional values. The rope connects the modern society on national, religions and ethnic level as it is the revival and restoration of past values where the true hope for a bright future lies. In this way the work not only identifies the problems but moves towards a more hopeful note- the solution.
The symbols work not only as a source of artistic inspiration but also on building awareness and education. In a subtle way, it highlights the harms of believing what is seeing.
The work encompasses different aspects of human life from personal to national to religious and ethnic level. The circle becomes an important image to evoke the people to think beyond their imaginary boundaries, realize themselves as members of the same community sharing a single planet. In this way the work comes to gather a universal approach inducing the people all over the world to come out of their circles and think beyond their imaginary boundaries. It tends to suggest that differences and problems all over the world can be removed if only we get ourselves out of the delusion of our own truths. All the elements in the series in one way or the other highlight this issue and the center lies in the representation of elephant as a symbol of hope and recovery on different levels.
The bandaged elephant becomes a representation for a society that is suffering but can be healed.
The five pointed star becomes not only an emblem for five fingers to represent unity but also a hallmark for the restoration of old values and a dire need for a change. The flowers and patterns make us idealize a beautiful world which can be found if differences are expelled they make us look to a fresh and blooming future. The colors in the series also reflect certain aspects of nature and formulate an association with human life, beliefs and nations.
The green color becomes not only a symbol for active nature but also builds up national and religious association. The cracks on the mat highlight different ethnic and religious issues damaging our roots and destroying the very earth beneath our feet. So there is a dire need to stand out, to awake the conscience and to live with dignity and grace and hence to connect strongly with the past.
The work encompasses certain aspects of human life which complete the circle of one’s life on different levels. The work though deeply religious and national in its essence presents the dilemmas of human life which make it universal in nature. The whole impact it creates is positive by not just depicting the burning problems but also the healing aspects. It reflects optimism as it shows a way to humanity to be good, to be healed again.
