Daily Times

KARACHI: An exhibition of landscape paintings by Pakistani-American artist Durre Wasim, showcased a new series of her oil paintings titled “Visiting Home” at Canvas Gallery Karachi, on Tuesday.

Durre Wasim is an alumni of the Punjab University. She has done a wide range of paintings from the beaches of Los Angles to the lights of Karachi and has received many prestigious awards, having participated in numerous shows in the US.

While talking exclusively to Daily Times, she expressed that as far back as she could remember, she had been drawing and painting since childhood, but professionally it had been more than three decades.

“As I got older, I came to know about more dimensions in my approach and I also became aware of my own inspirations. Even if my work is not figurative, the scenes and objects still move around life. I focus on these shapes and paint them with full honesty instead of translating them in abstract forms. My inspiration includes the sights and sounds around me. I enjoy working outdoors instead of in the studio because when I’m outdoors, I catch the real things which I can not draw in studio,” Wasim added.

Responding to a question, Wasim said that her painting process was based on her intuition from her experience of being present in a particular surrounding.

“I start from painting the background, covering the dark in the thin layers of paints and then I gradually add lighter tones and details. One brush stroke leads to the next, capturing the movement with its full energy, whether it be the hustle of a gathering or a respite from the crowd.”

Wasim shared her views that watercolour and pastels are fun to work with, but she also liked using oil paints very much as a quick medium, without going over strokes.

“For me, the best painting is the one that is finished in less time but working on Bhatti Red Door has been quite a terrible experience due to the rush of people.”

Naheed Raza, an artist, said that landscape paintings were basically still but her works were not still at all.

“Wasim captures beauty in her subjects as well as the beauty of life and the human experience itself,” Naheed Raza said.

Amin J, an artist, praised Wasim saying that she had done a fantastic job and that being a woman it was really tough to opt for this field.

“After seeing her work, I must appreciate her on these remarkable pieces.”

More than 20 paintings were being displayed at the exhibition. The prices ranged from Rs 80,000 to Rs 150,000. The exhibition will continue until July 13.

Published in Daily Times, July 6^th , 2017.