LAHORE: A solo exhibition of prints and paintings, titled `Reimagining Nature the Other Space`, by visual artist Naila Hussain opened at Alhamra Art Gallery, The Mall on Saturday.

The inaugural day was attended by a good number of art lovers. The exhibition will remain on display till Dec 20.

The exhibition featured mixed media artworks, including one-of-a-kind mono-prints, and paintings.

Naila Hussain did her Masters in Fine Arts from the National College of Arts. She is a former journalist, who has written onenvironmental issues for The Nation newspaper. She has also authored a book, titled Afghan Women, Tales of Sorrow and Hope.

While talking to Dawn, Ms Hussain said this was her first solo show, as previously she had participated in a number of group shows.

`Some of my artworks on display at the exhibition are recent; some were made in 2020 and some in 2021.

The artist further said she painted images from nature to symbolise hope, regeneration and creation -and at times problems -depicted with certain kinds of colours. `The abstraction in my work is derived from various hues and shades found in nature such as the play of light amidst a thick grove ofbamboos, shadows of fallen leaves, twigs and flowers. My inspiration also comes from patterns and broken lines created by innumerable birds flying back home.

Ms Hussain further said: `Whilst painting or print making, I want each brush stroke, texture in nature, bristles of the brush and medium of paint to create a deep impression on my work and that, in turn, informs the painting and conveys my emotions. I do both representational and abstract art of a certain withering tree, a plant in full bloom, or a wheat field in all its glory or just abstract colour spaces which encapsulate trees and wheat fields.

The artist said her use of medium is often fluid as she lets the subjectdictate the medium.

`Currently, it includes printmaking, ink, pastels, watercolor and oil.

Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi, the executive director of Lahore Arts Council and a visual artist himself, while commenting on the artworks said the artist had depicted nature in an amazing way, which was pleasing to the eye. Mr Zulfi said printmaking was a difficult thing but Ms Hussain had done it with great ease and elegance.

Alhamra Art Gallery Director Mina Haroon, also a visual artist, said the solo exhibition explored the essence of nature that people were surrounded by every day and was part of a human`s life for their existence.