In the eyes of a Pardesi

Tayyaba Kanwal

Magnificence of old architect in the etchings reflects Doman Kowarsky?s adoration for Lahore, report Sadaf Pervez and Tayyaba Kanwal

Etching prints of the glories and finest specimens of medieval architecture in the outskirts of Lahore by Damon Kowarsky, an Australian painter remisinisces the ancient allure of architect, replacing by modernisation of the buildings. He came to Pakistan in 2007 to teach in Beaconhouse National University and to explore the art of traditional miniature. It was then his artistry urge that let him to explore the rich cultural heritage sites in our part of the world.

Damon Kowarsky, a pardesi wanderer, travels from place to another to fill the canvas with interesting cultural sites that is not known to many. The exhibition of prints and paintings at Alhamra Art Gallery has also been displayed in Australia titled Desi (Urdu word to denote South Asia). He was overwhelmed with the response of the visitors there as he said, ?People with no political motivations inquisitively went to the gallery to see the cultural insight of Pakistan?s places. People of Australia only get to know about Pakistan either in news or through cricket matches; it was good experience for me as well as for the people to know about the inside peace in Pakistan.?

A look at his prints and paintings, there might be a disillusionment of a feel that the artist might have lived in Pakistan for years and has actually witnessed the transitional period of rural to urban development. The change in the social pattern from closeness to isolation undertaking for the sake of literal development, but defines the new way of experiencing life. But interestingly, Kowarsky lived in Pakistan only for seven months for disseminating his knowledge of arts to the art lovers.

In fact it is infatuation with the structure of the cityscape of old cities here that inspired him to sketch the architect of the places like Aminabad. Being a dweller of the metropolis place in Australia he has not been acquainted to small, cluttered rooms, giving a sense of uniqueness and rejuvenates the sense of style in medieval times. Kowarsky commented ?As the city is expanding, new and modern looks have adapted the old architect of the city?s view; it is sensational to see both old and new bricks in the same city with varied artistic expressions.

The foundation for each image has involved keen observation as obvious with prints of Rawalpindi?s town taken from different point of view. ?When I was in Rawalpindi, Benazir Bhutto?s government was coup, so I was not supposed to leave my hotel for security concerns. I went to the roof of my hotel and it was quite inspiring to see serenity in the air. It was in contrast to the upheaval that Pakistan was going through and what has been propagated in the media.  It was to insinuate people are peace-loving despite being evoked by the political turmoil.

It must be difficult to portray the land of chaos in an evocative light with fresh and calmness while beholding tensions. The use of etching and aquatint with copper has lent an effect of hues of the buildings in old time to give a feel of originality and antiquity so that the people can relate.

In an interesting paradox, a humanly figure has been sketched for the obvious theme of alienation. The masculine figure in the background of the cityscape seems like a traveller (devoid of any association with the city) with strange and estranged expressions and in another etching it seems like a displaced person searching for his identity lost in isolated structures. The split in the figure in front of the Rohtas Fort suggests both the ideas of displacement and strangeness.

These etchings can also be framed through the eye of camera but Kowarsky graduated in printing making from Victorian College of Arts in Australia wanted to use his artistry skills to capture the artistic representation of old houses. While drawing it is in your hand what to include and how to stylise your frame but in photography everything has to be included what appears on your screen.

Though the images are very familiar to us as it all depict the internal site, but observing from a pardesi?s point of view it renders the element of relevance and of great appreciation that we might have become indifferent to. The increasing disassociation between the man and buildings because of the urban phenomena has been aptly described with a simplified sketch of a human searching for his identity. But according to Kowarsky's intention, it is just the art of the architect that convinced him to choose these places.

These cultural sharing will definitely soften the image of Pakistan that is of utmost important for pardesi people to know about the actualities of our country. It is a great honour that an effort has been put on by a foreigner inspired by peace yearning by Pakistanis to overshadow the shades of negation.