ISLAMABAD: The works of acclaimed artists Romessa Khan and Qasim Bugti are on display at the ongoing exhibition at Satrang Gallery, offering visitors a chance to delve into the intricate relationship between the natural world, materiality and human consciousness.

Asma Rashid, the director of the gallery, said, `The exhibition brings together two unique yet complementary voices, each rooted in their own processes of observation, reflection, and transformation.

Romessa`s fluid, semi-abstract explorations of matter and energy find a striking balance with Qasim`s precise markmaking and focus on the resilience embedded in nature`s textures.

Together, their work becomes a poetic conversation between the tangible and the intangible, the microscopic and the cosmic, the seen and the felt, she noted.

`I am excited to present this body of work that invites you to slow down, look closer, and renect on the quietforces that shape our existence,` she added.

The artists` collaborative research has explored the profound interconnection between nature, matter, and human consciousness, converging thematically on the concepts of resilience, transformation, and the cyclicalprocesses ofexistence.At the same time, the differences between their individual practices have come through in the perspectives and subjects of their work: Qasim Bugti`s work focuses on the resilience of nature particularly patternsfoundin trees,rocks,and sand as symbols of endurance, wisdom, and adaptation, while Romessa Khan delves into the evolutionary processes of matter and its interaction with consciousness.

Qasim shared his inspiration for the collection, saying, `My current body of work is deeply rooted in the themes of resilience and endurance asreflected in both nature and humanity. I find inspiration in elements like trees, mountains, and geological forms natural entities that hold the stories of time within their surfaces.

Cracks in bark, weathered rocks, and aged textures are not signs of decay, but silent testimonies of survival, wisdom, and transformation, he said.

`These natural codes and repetitive patterns inform my visual language, allowing me to reflect on the delicate balance between strength and fragility.

They are metaphors for our inner landscapes our scars,our perseverance, and our ongoing evolution.

Drawing heavily on his training as a miniature artist from the National College of Arts, Qasim has used traditional techniques to express contemporary themes.

He said, `In my earlier practice, I worked primarily with gouache on wasli, focusing on internal reflection and the human psyche. In this new series, I continue to use traditional methods but have expanded my material palette to include archival pens, archival markers, pigments, and Arches paper.

He further added that the precision and discipline of miniature painting remain central to my process, but the materials now allow for more experimentation with texture and layering, which mirror the natural surfaces he observes and studies.

Romessa Khan, also a graduate of NCA, has gained recognition for her detailed, analytical drawings and performance art, where she often explores themes of human existence, socio-political constructs, and the role of women in power dynamics.

She said this currentbody of work is inspired by the invisible yet fundamental forces that shape our universe the subtle interplay of energy, elements, and consciousness.

`My exploration centres on the microscopic and energetic processes behind material real-ity, particularly the interaction of matter with elements like ether and plasma. These works are a response to my deepening interest in the evolutionary journey of nature and humanity, and how the elemental and emotional layers of existence are interwoven.

She added, `This collection marks a significant evolution from my earlier practice, which was rooted in studies of household objects that hold quiet, intimate connections to human life.

Those early forms provided a foundation in observing how the familiar becomes symbolic, the acclaimed artist said.

`Over time, my focus shifted from the tangible to the elemental from the external forms of lived experience to the internal structures of energy, emotion, and transformation.

This transition reflects not just a change in subject, but a deepening of inquiry toward mapping the unseen patterns that drive both the physical and emotional evolution of being.

Qasim`s detailed miniature techniques complement Romessa`s meticulous semiabstract explorations in ink and watercolours.

Despite the differences in training and perspective, the two have successfully created a unified body of work that showcases the constant interplay between matter and consciousness, strength and vulnerability, microcosm and macrocosm.