There is no gateway although the doors are present, there is no fresh air albeit having windows and there is no life in a life like a butterfly having rainbow colours but dies with a single touch as it loses its colours and fade away. Saqib graduated in 1997 from the Karachi School of Art and then moved to United States for further studies in visual arts in 1999 and later started his career as a creative director and painter. Currently he lives in Miami, Florida and active in art circle there. He has participated in several solo and group shows in both Pakistan and the United States.
In his work presented at the exhibition he discusses complexities of life and analyses problems and issues in a different way. He tries to reach answers to the questions following his thoughts and experiences. He urges viewers to "look closely at his paintings, step back and feel the energy".
In mixed media on canvas his thoughts unite with contemporary techniques to create a modern appealing work. His paintings have a quality to connect with viewers through a known language of symbols. He mainly captures the feelings of helplessness, fear, repression, dismay and dejection. He shares the glimpses of inside world to the outside world. Thus convey clear message with confidence. In a statement he said, "I have always been inspired by antiquated walls and oriental doors. My paintings illustrate my desire for these doors to be opened by the use of butterfly wings. My doors are symbols for unawareness or the act of closing oneself in a shell, but I do not want to see it happen or accept it as a silent viewer. I use butterflies with doors as a symbol of change, beauty and flight".
To him, "The door symbol signifies 'closed' or 'way to get out' and the butterfly implies change, innocence and freedom. Textures of old walls symbolise home." Hence the contrasted images of old walls and closed doors inspire him the most. He seems to take inspiration from east as well as west, while his compositions are contemporary and doors are oriental. The small doors and windows pasted on his paintings are the centre of his theme. These doors and windows if open gives a wonderful life which a person dreams of and if they are close they can make one's life miserable and unbearable. He symbolically uses these doors and windows as gateway to life.
Butterflies represent freedom, happiness and joy while the walls are the barriers as well as expression of home. Thus his paintings reflect colours of joy and sorrow. Red hot, shimmer white and dark black colour dominate his paintings and give a feeling of balance with colourful and monotone backgrounds. His powerful brush strokes and brilliant colour palette makes his paintings distinct. He manipulates the pigments creating new range of textural surfaces.
[email protected]