Tension and tradition

When thinking of the art of the Indian subcontinent, the works of the Mughal Empire, specifically the decorative art of the miniature and of the illuminated manuscript, probably first spring to mind. This is largely because of the limited exposure the contemporary art from the region receives.

As most of the eight artists in this exhibition trained in the West (though some continue to live and work in Pakistan), one might expect a thoroughly Westernised visual language. Perhaps surprisingly, as this enjoyable and gently provocative exhibition shows, we see that the miniature lives on: though these artists may bring something very contemporary to it, they are nonetheless inspired by it.

Rashid Rana's profile picture of the Mughal Emperor Jahan, for instance, looks like a traditional painting, or rather a slightly blurry, bad reproduction of one. However, on close inspection it's clear that Jahan is made up of dozens of tiny billboard images put together by computer.

The tensions between Asian and Western artistic traditions are emphasised in Aisha Khalid's video of two hands - one brown, one white - working side by side embroidering a rose; while the brown hand stitches, the white hand unstitches.

Elsewhere, Muhammad Imran Qureshi takes the miniature at face value, but dresses it up in contemporary clothing: a figure in a painting executed in traditional, flat miniature style, wears combats and open-necked shirt.

Fully at ease with tradition, these artists are energised, rather than stifled by their artistic heritage.

Beyond The Page: Contemporary Art From Pakistan
Asia House
New Cavendish Street, W1G 7LP