By Umer Nangiana
Mehreen Hasan, a Doha-based visual artist, participated in two group shows at Espacio Art Gallery in London this summer. Eight of her paintings were displayed in two exhibitions titled “Summer Abstractions” and “A Conscious Identity”.
Mehreen’s acrylics represent man trapped in a certain situation, compartmentalisation of our lives and different roles we play to survive, through juxtaposition of shapes and colours. Her paintings “Blue dome” and “Jewel of Arabia” are inspired by Qatar landscape and culture.
It was the fourth time Mehreen’s work was featured at the gallery in London since her first appearance early last year. Talking to Community, the Doha-based Pakistani artist said the London art scene offers multiple opportunities to artists and participating in such exhibitions has contributed a lot to her professional growth as an artist.
“There are a lot galleries and a lot of opportunities for artists. They accept, appreciate and encourage all forms of art. Many artists are exploring 3D printing but traditional printers can still keep a place for themselves,” says Mehreen.
“I had a chance to personally meet artists. We displayed the work together, discussed and shared our concepts and techniques. It was a very enlightening experience,” she added.
In “Conscious Identity”, Mehreen showcased a series of self-portraits. Self-consciousness, she says, is an acute sense of self-awareness. It is a preoccupation with oneself, as opposed to the philosophical state of self-awareness, which is the awareness that one exists as an individual being.
The exhibition put forth a few questions related to consciousness, persons, unity and identity, such as what exactly is the unity of consciousness? Can a single person have a divided consciousness?
Mehreen’s art work aims to represent that unity is a fundamental part of human consciousness, something so basic to everyday experience that it is easy to overlook.
“The visuals present the concept that there is an overall unity to our experience. When we undergo a succession of thoughts as we think something through, there is an experience of succession that unifies the thoughts into a conscious whole,” says Mehreen, explaining her work.
As a professionally trained artist from Chelsea London and holding a degree in Fine Arts from Pakistan, Mehreen takes inspiration from life experiences and she has touched upon multiple social issues with her work. “Painting is not only my profession but is more of a passion to me. I paint what I feel like and I can feel each of my painting as it is a part of me. My art presents my personal expressions of the subjects which inspire and touch me,” says Mehreen.
About the process her artistic work goes through, Mehreen says from conception to completion, she preplans all the images. “My imagination constructs mere impressions into an assemblage that I find pleasing. Before I set down a brush stroke, I allow the forthcoming creation to gestate for a while,” she explains.
“I give the painting time to come into being within me. I begin my series when the whole perception is well settled, my research complete and I have developed a certain relationship with my images just like a mother’s bond with her unborn child,” Mehreen says.
She plans to explore the same concept further and present it in a series of miniature paintings for her upcoming art exhibition to be held in London.
“I am planning to work on a series of miniature paintings next year. We the Espacio artists are also planning to display our work in Spain next year,” she adds.
Pakistan Fashion Week kicks off
By Staff Reporter
Pakistan Fashion Week (PFW) kicked off yesterday at Doha Marriott Hotel.
The unique event features collections from top designers from Pakistan’s vibrant fashion industry including names such as Deepak Parwani, Sobia Nazir, Amna Ismail, Emraan Rajput, Maria B, and Mahagony by Sam Dada.
The event started with a fashion show yesterday evening at Al Feroz Ballroom of Doha Marriott Hotel, where the visiting designers from Pakistan showcased their latest bridal, pret, lawn, semi-formal and formal collections with Pakistani and international models walking the ramp.
The preceeding Red Carpet event featured Pakistani celebrities including Meera, Hasan Soomro, Moamer Rana, Saleem Sheikh, Maira Khan and Natasha Ai.
“The aim is to promote Pakistani products and fashion line to the rich international and Qatari community residing in one of the richest country in the world and vice versa designers will also enjoy the exposure to Qatar’s untapped market,” said Rahat Mansoor, the CEO of Dhoom Events and the Organizer of PFW.
Collections of all participating designers are available for purchase from official exhibiting partner outlets PH Design and Bombay Silk. The exhibition will continue till October 4.
Abeer Nauman, the CEO of PH Design, said the last year’s fashion show brought in huge feedback from the market in Doha and she hopes the ongoing fashion week would be an even bigger a success.
