Students exhibit Textile patterns at Alhamra Art Gallery

Hundreds of patterns in dozens of themes, a riot of colours, walls full of frames and floors occupied by art installations, artists and visitors–the Alhamra Art Gallery at The Mall presented scene of a carnival on the opening day of Degree Show of Textile Design students of Lahore College for Women University.

Works of 43 students are on display.

The themes are wide-ranging. The artists have explored cultures, eras and history of several places.

The many trendy tea houses and cafes in Lahore and the life there, is one theme on gowns and wall hangings.

The artist, Laiba Farooq, has explored contemporary city life.

Two installations are eye-catching, one of Fatima Shaukat who has explored the textures and colours of the human eye onto textile surfaces and another one whose theme is lack of freedom in society; a cuboid in which flowers and butterflies are enclosed—the art work that stands out because of its comment on society.

Half of the artists have chosen foreign themes. There are art works inspired by China, Japan and Korea on the one hand and Panama, Brazil, Italy, Bihar, Jaipur and Iran on the other.

There are three themes from Iran. There are designs recreated by women of Matheela, Bihar who are taught the art at home which they make and present to their husbands after marriage. Korean folk art has been executed in very fine embroidery with zero size needle. An artist has recreated masks from the Venice Festival to be worn at costume parties and another has recreated ocean life in textile.

The artist said she had examined 120,000 species of sea shells and 6,000 species of corals for this. The fabrics used are varied, from cotton to velvet.

Apart from patterns, embroideries, there are gowns, elegant capes, light on the shoulders and an alternate to dopatta, well executed antique carpet designs on scarves, handmade colourful rugs with tufting, bedding, embellished bags, fancy sandals paired with as much fancy bags, prom dresses—fancy, flowing with frills and 3D flowers, bridal dresses, well-crafted lamps from Safavid dynasty in swede velvet fabric and a macrame hammock swing that could carry up to 150kg weight.

Few artists have set prices of their works. Some were surprised when asked. The exhibition that opened at Alhamra Art Gallery, The Mall.