Ramsha Rubbani's solo show at Sanat Initiative offers a glimpse into the experience of motherhood

Ramsha Rubbani explores the complexities of motherhood in her recent solo exhibition, Where Lines Hold, hosted at the Sanat Initiative in Karachi. The collection departs from traditional depictions, choosing instead to present maternal care as an instinctive and intimate force grounded in nature. Rubbani draws inspiration from historical religious iconography like the Madonna and Child, yet she updates these concepts to address the specific absence of such narratives within the Pakistani cultural sphere.

The series features digitally manipulated historical images combined with precise hand-drawn line work. In works like Hold Close to My Heart, the artist replaces traditional facial features with fine vertical lines. These lines represent the quiet discipline and emotional labor inherent in raising a child while simultaneously removing the specific identities of the figures. This choice transforms individual subjects into universal symbols of the maternal experience, allowing viewers to project their own memories onto the work.

Technically, the exhibition displays a careful balance between digital technology and manual drawing. Pieces like One Dusky Evening and Under Your Guideline use muted color palettes of grey and green, punctuated by subtle red accents to draw the eye. This restraint ensures that the focus remains on the texture of the line work rather than decorative flourishes. The layering effect created through this process suggests a transparency that invites viewers to examine the labor behind each mark.

By bringing these themes into a gallery space, Rubbani initiates a public conversation about care and nurture that often stays hidden in private life. The exhibition offers a space for reflection on how motherhood is perceived and practiced across different contexts. Whether viewed through the lens of history or contemporary personal experience, the collection highlights the endurance of maternal love and the specific, often invisible, work required to sustain it.