We gather, construct, develop and keep on adjusting our thoughts, behavior and self-image in response to others, yet we create our separate identities by developing a sense of
otherness based on the ideas of culture, gender, class, religion and so on. How fascinatingly absurd!
Zygmunt Bauman, a Polish sociologist and philosopher writes that the notion of otherness is central to the way in which societies establish identity categories. He argues that identities are set up as dichotomies:
Woman is the other of man, animal is the other of human, stranger is the other of native, abnormality the other of norm, deviation the other of law-abiding, illness the other of health, insanity the other of reason, lay public the other of the expert, foreigner the other of state subject, enemy the other of friend (Bauman 1991: 8).
Taken for granted and often presumed natural, these dichotomies of otherness represent an established hierarchy of one being superior and other inferior. History in its various forms display how power is gained and exercised, just by propagating the notion of otherness. Colonial history for example, shows how visual representation of otherness has worked in favor of western supremacy and portrayed ‘the others’ as inferior or uncivilized. Let’s not go too far and look into ‘our very own’ systems, how corrupt, unjust and selfish we have become. One needs to understand that there is usually a motive, expectation of gain or something material or symbolic behind all these identity claims. What I find ironic is that, ‘the others’ may even have no clue of what is being done to them.
This exhibition is a testament to human diversity and interconnectedness of all living and non-living beings. It invites visitors to transcend the limitations of their mind and explore the idea of existence in its entirety. To embrace the notion of co-existence, we need to realize that ‘Other beings’ are just a reflection of ourselves.
Abdullah Ali
Syed Abdullah Ali is a distinguished contemporary artist based in Karachi, Pakistan. Abdullah graduated in Fine Arts from Karachi School of Art in 2010. He received Sadequain
Award in 2013. Abdullah Ali’s work is a captivating blend of traditional and contemporary elements. His artistic vision is a profound exploration of themes such as identity, range of emotions that emerge in time of crisis, and societal change. Abdullah Ali’s has exhibited in multiple shows including Unspoken Stories as group project at Sanat Initiative.
Imran Gul
Imran Gul was born in 1998 in Badin, Sindh. He is a visual artist who graduated with a distinction from National College of Arts, Lahore in 2023. His work showcases hyper realistic figures in a timeless frame, highlighting disconnection, alienation and intimacy among a certain social status quo in a police society. Imran has exhibited in Ejaz gallery, Lahore 2023 and O Art Space, Lahore 2023. Imran currently works and lives in Lahore.
Arghawan Hatif
Arghawan Hatif graduated from National College of Arts, Lahore, 2023, with a distinction majoring in miniature painting. Her practice also includes oil painting, print making and
sculpture. Arghawan has also been part of Dubai Expo 2020 project as an assistant artist under the apprenticeship of renowned artist Akif Suri. She has participated in many group exhibitions in Quetta along with “Young Artist exhibition” at Alhamra Art Council, “Asli Contemporary” at Numaish Gah, A six person show at Ejaz Art Gallery, and “Broadcast Vol. 2” at O Art Space. She has been rewarded an Excellence Award in painting competition amongst universities of Balochistan in 2016. Along with this, Arghawan has been shortlisted for Anna Molka Award 2023. She was also a finalist at River of words USA Art Contest 2013.
Arghawan is currently pursuing her career and practicing as an emerging artist in Quetta.
Jawad Jan
Muhammad Jawad Ahmed Jan, born in 2000, Lyari, Karachi, Pakistan is a visual artist based in Karachi. Jawad developed his interest in making an art career very early in his life
and started painting since the age of 10. In 2017, his painting of ‘Morgan Freeman’ gained recognition. In 2018, he was awarded scholarship and graduated as a Fine artist from Arts Council of Pakistan in 2022. In 2017, his career took its turn when he became an apprentice of an internationally recognised artist, Mr Shahid Rassam where he continues till date. Jawad exhibited in multiple shows including ‘Asli Contemporary’ at Numaish Gah 2023, ‘Eclectic Mix 3.0’ at Sanat Initiative 2023, Broadcast at O Art Space 2023, Group show at VM Art gallery 2022 and a group show at Sambara Art Gallery 2022.
Fatima Kaleem
Fatima Kaleem born in 1999, is a Lahorebased visual artist. She graduated with Honors from the National College of Arts, Lahore with a BFA in 2022, majoring in printmaking.
Working primarily in printmaking media, her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. She was a part of the Print Pals portfolio project, a collaborative printmaking volume, between the National College of Arts, Lahore and the Slade School of Fine Art, London in 2021 and has recently exhibited in several exhibitions including ‘Broadcast Vol II’, O Art Space (2023), ‘ Asli Contemporary’, Numaish Gah (2023), ‘Recent’, Tagheer Lahore (2023), ‘Only a Dream’, Artescape Gallery (2023) and the ’50 years of Saving Nature in Pakistan’, Pakistan National Council of the Arts (2023).
