Canvases splattered with pain and trauma

LAHORE, March 28: How tragedies turn one's life into a tale of tears and how hopelessness, agony and loneliness can be healed and addressed through art therapy was manifested through a group exhibition by six psychiatric patients from Fountain House that opened at Alhamra Art Center, The Mall, on Monday. Over 50 paintings put on display at the exhibition spoke volumes of artists' dreams, feelings, hopes and wishes frozen in the memory book of time and last but not the least, the dust of old years, the years when life of these artists was normal, had its thick 'layer' on their artworks. Every artist participating in the show had suffered some tragedy. Their biographical sketches and the heartbreaking misfortunes they came across in life leave one's eyes brimming with tears. These artists have put their heart out in their works, especially the two schizophrenia patients, Humayun and Tariq Majeed, whose works have good appeal. Humayun's canvases had a lot to offer in terms of richness of ideas and artistic skill. His paintings, having intense colours such as deep reds, spoke his mind well which is stricken with negativity. The titles of his paintings — Dualism, Regression and Broken — well describe his emotional state. About his paintings with titles like 'Dancing Girls', he says: "I love to paint girls and boys because life is all about people and their faces." Humayun's case history shows his normal mental state got tainted beyond ratification when he lost his father in 1975. He got so depressed that he even tried to commit suicide. The other artist, Tariq Majeed, had given titles to his works such as 'I am Over' and 'Lost'. Majeed says he loves to paint and loves all colours. Though he has been at Fountain House since 1998 but according to him he came to the institution just some days ago. The work of two female artists is also of great value, especially the paintings by Mehrunnisa. She, in her works, seems to relocate her past and streamline things as her titles like 'Bridge' and 'Channelisation'. Nisa is an orphan with severe childhood conflicts. She ended up killing her husband who would humiliate and beat her. She has been in Fountain House for the last eight years. Nimra, another artist whose work deals with nostalgia suffered from severe depression after rejection in love. She has been in Fountain House for the last year and a half. Asim Amjad, the art therapist and psycho dramatist from Fountain House, told Dawn the artworks on display was the outcome of seven years of his rigorous efforts. Amjad's own works were also on display at the exhibition. His works won appreciation from many visitors, including artists. Asim Amjad is the only art therapist in the country who has made vital efforts to treat psychological disorders. The exhibition will remain open till March 31. — Staff Reporter