By Shahina Maqbool - The News International - Lahore, PakistanWednesday, January 2, 2007
Islamabad: Zia Zaidi’s latest collection of art, which goes on display at Nomad Gallery here today (Wednesday), is imbued with spiritual nuances that cleanse and elevate the soul.
Zia uses acrylics, oils, wood, metal, and silver leaf on canvas and glass, enriching the surfaces of his dreamlike expressionistic paintings with layers upon layers of jazzy colours and intricate motifs.
“There is no gimmickry in his work. He does not believe in repetitions, and that is what makes the actual effort put in by the artist so visible,” the gallery’s director, Nageen Hyat, commented.
Zia, who is holding his sixth solo exhibition in town, derives inspiration from culture, religion and Sufi traditions.
His current show is titled ‘Homage to Peace.’
Talking to ‘The News,’ the Rawalpindi-based artist said his paintings have to do with peace, spiritual cleansing and religious harmony.
“The practice of humanism is rooted in the teachings of our sufi saints. Islam spread around the world through Sufis who preached patience and love for attainment of spiritual heights,” Zia said.
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Zia graduated from the National College of Arts in 1988 and has since been working as a freelance mural painter and writer.
He has also worked as a freelance cartoonist and illustrator with ‘The News,’ Lahore, for about five years.
His murals are displayed in prominent buildings including Islamabad Club, Parliament House and National Defence College.
The current exhibition of his paintings will continue till January 9.
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