“The Secrets of Eve”

“The Secrets of Eve” – By Ahmer Farooq

Displayed, rather articulately, at the Drawing Room Gallery (Lahore) is Ahmer Farooq’s solo exhibition, Titled “The Secrets of Eve”; a series of remarkably worthy of note paintings that address the role of women from a relative perspective, particular to that in our society. It explores women more personally out of the standard roles that we see them in. Seeming fundamentally grave, the subject is tactfully painted to invalidate the brutally sealed principles of these roles that conform to the familiar image we have in our heads.

When I read the artist’s brief, I was instantly instigated to invite a passionately feminist friend of mine, Mehmooda Maqsood, who was more than eager to accompany me to the exhibition. En route, I had prepared myself for an artistic debate, over a cup of coffee, once we were done scrutinizing the paintings. I had assumed the display to be another socially pretentious derivate demonstrating depravity. Hence, my idea behind inviting her was foreplay for me to act unattractively dramatic.

On the contrary, a smirk ran across my face, in honesty wrapped as it was in a sense of realizing how pompous I had been - as the exhibition casually divulged into playful, expressively communicative and refreshing host of creative output, piece by piece. The tasteful use of colour and medium was substantial, as was the well developed sense of irony depicted in the composition of the stylized elements of Ahmer’s lucid work. It was by no means titillating in a generic yoko ono kind of way!

This magical thing many of us had dared to think about from time to time was soo contentedly brought forth in a subtly sublime and creative expression and conceptual development, without making the audience ill at ease or summing it up as liberal propaganda for justification. The comfort with thich the exhibition welcomes and unfolds the other side of the women was hardly a kitsch factor.

Dramatically expanding the definition of the role of a woman to be more inclusive in all areas, from subject matter to media and presentation, Ahmer reintroduced the articulation of a exceedingly vast, yet relevant issue, socially, in an era of apparent establishment, while pioneering a statement with such personalization, having focused on his own siblings, sisters in law and even nieces, within a fine art idiom.

We remained at the venue at lengths before either of us had a sound opinion. The haughty post exhibition, dramatic coffee plan was substituted by a spontaneous idea to seat ourselves silently just in front of the display and observe the overwhelming response. It was an endearing feeling!   

“It was a great effort to put a woman’s banal role in the society separate from the realm and actually recognize her as a separate entity.” Mehmooda Maqsood

- Faizaan Ahab
Blessezz...*

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