Emerging artists: Indus Valley students wow the crowd with lavish displays at their thesis show

Aspiring artists from all five departments of the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture showcased their talents at the IVS Degree Show 2015 this week. Their work drew in art enthusiasts from different parts of the city for this yearly event.

The idea of merging tradition with modern aesthetics dominated as graduating students showed hints of genius, waves of strong personal expression and an unmistakable desire to be different at this year's thesis display.

Emotional baggage — All the right people, in all the right places

One of the best examples seemed to be in the work of Hira Khan whose display, ‘All the right people, in all the right places’ — showed polythene bag-shaped feelings, carefully constructed to represent her emotions after interacting with the people in her life.

‘All the right people, in all the right places’ by Hira Khan. — Photo by author

"Each of these bags represents an original feeling that I get from a person in my life." The boxing bags made of the same material are intended to help her relax as she fights different emotions.

. — Photo by author

Branching out — Using trees to solve an inner conundrum

Amongst the popular displays of the show was Anum Ashraf's artwork of trees which also depicts the inner feelings of the artist. Her inspiration for the pieces of lush, dense leaves and branches was the soothing sentiments she gets when being under the heavy foliage of these towering creations of nature.

‘The desire to soar and unite with all of existence; the desire to be free; the desire to be you, to be me’ by Anum Ashraf — Photo by author

Revisiting nostalgia across the border — Mehmood House

Student Shahana Afaq observes the simple things in life and reflects on close personal memories of her family in India. Her work resonates the warm nostalgia she feels for her ancestral residence, ‘Mehmood House’ that lies across the border and is close to her heart.

Shahana’s "Dastarkhan" shows a subtle scene where the family eats together. — Photo by author

The visual context of Shahana Afaq’s work emerged from her observation of sensory information (smell, touch, taste and sound). Here she uses a projector to create a realistic view of an egg that is being fried in a pan. An external sound clip plays in the background with Shahana’s own recording of an actual egg being fried.

'Understanding domestic virtue' by Ammara Jabbar

Diametric Allegiance’ by Ammara Jabbar — Photo by author

Folk Nama — reviving Sindhi folk tales through graphic design by Madiha Rehman

'Folk Nama’ by Madiha Rehman — Photo by author

Infinite Skies by Maliha Saleem

Maliha Saleem captures natural compositions which often go unnoticed.

Womb of Serenity by Faiza Ali

In the womb of serenity by Faiza Ali — Photo by author

Faiza Ali creates a dialogue between emotional and literal reality where justice is an unanswered call.— Photo by author

Negotiational aesthetics by Affan Baghpati

.— Photo by Ema Anis

The IVS Degree Show 2015 concludes on December 11th 2015. The show timings are from 10am to 6pm.

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