The exhibition Kehkeshan-i-Neesti at Chawkandi Art in Karachi serves as a poignant exploration of the intersection between loss, spiritual illumination and the passage of time. The title, drawn from artist Meher Afroz’s painted panels, refers to a rich tradition steeped in melancholic themes of the tragedy of Karbala, while simultaneously celebrating light and spiritual insight.

Kehkeshan, which means galaxy, mirrors a duality of grief and transcendence. This thematic tension lies at the core of the exhibition, evoking the delicate balance between sorrow and the potential for renewal. Afroz’s practice is deeply influenced by the marsiya, a form of lamentation practised by renowned poets such as Mir Anees and Mirza Dabir, and Kehkeshan-i-Neesti channels this tradition in a contemporary context.

The exhibition, expertly curated by Karachi-based art critic Amra Ali, showcases once again her expertise in creating exhibitions that foster dialogue between local and global artistic practices. The narrative in this show is visually enriched by the diverse contributions of six artists — Afroz herself, Amaan Khalid Aslam, Dr Fatima Zahra Hassan, SM Khayyam, Ali Gillani and Mudassar Manzoor — each exploring the themes of loss, transformation and spiritual illumination from their unique artistic perspectives.

The concept of neesti or fanah, meaning the annihilation of the self, is pervasive throughout the exhibition — tying the artworks together in a reflection on both the fragility and the resilience of existence. The exhibition creates a layered........

© Dawn (Magazines)