The exhibition ALIVE recently concluded its run at the Ocean Art Gallery in Lahore. Curated by Tania Sohail, the show brought together various artists to explore themes of endurance, remembrance, and the persistence of the human spirit. The works on display examined the intersections of personal history and hope through layered visual narratives that asked viewers to consider the nature of perseverance in daily life.
Abdul Mannan contributed several pieces to the show, including Karwat and Qadam. In Karwat, the artist used charcoal to depict a figure expressing inward tension, with the posture of the child serving as a focal point for feelings of vulnerability. In Qadam, Mannan displayed feet draped in fabric, using the image to comment on the constraints that often accompany new phases of life. These pieces stood out for their ability to communicate emotional weight through subtle physical details.
Other artists addressed different aspects of the human experience. Aqsa Shahir utilized a muted palette of ochre and golden yellow in her landscapes to evoke memory and serenity, while Besmah Aman focused on structural metaphors for emotional collapse. Her work featuring a broken stool suggested that the objects meant to provide security often carry the weight of our internal fractures.
Zainab Awan offered a different perspective in her series titled Burden of Comfort. By replacing the human form with stacks of pillows, she explored how objects typically associated with rest can actually hold our deepest anxieties and lost identities. Danyal Awan rounded out the exhibition with a series titled Shadows of Waiting, using a stark red palette to underscore the tension found in states of uncertainty.
The collection served as a quiet reminder that resilience is often found in the simple act of continuing. The works captured moments of fear, longing, and memory to present a grounded view of the emotional landscapes that shape us. By avoiding grand gestures in favor of specific, intimate depictions, the artists provided a clear look at how individuals navigate the passing of time and the weight of their own experiences.