Art Exhibition 23 Nov: Meraki Art by Shazia

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the name of ALLAH, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Art Exhibition 23 Nov: Meraki Art by Shazia

Last Sunday, on 23rd November 2025, there was an Art Exhibition on display at Jacaranda Club, DHA-2, Islamabad, under the auspices of "MERAKI Art by Shazia". It offered group of senior artists exhibiting their work with young artists. The event was a success as it was attended by a large number of people of all ages.

Art is the expression of human creative skills and imagination, producing works that can be appreciated for their beauty, emotional power, or conceptual ideas. It encompasses a wide range of activities, including visual arts like painting and sculpture, as well as performing arts, literature, and more. An art exhibition is a temporary or permanent public display of artworks, such as paintings, sculptures, or photographs, which can be organized around a specific theme, artist, or medium. The purpose is to showcase art, provide a platform for artists, and allow the public to experience different styles and mediums, often in a variety of venues like museums, galleries, or other spaces.

The last Sunday Art Exhibition at Jacaranda Club was showcasing paintings, calligraphy works; traditional and trending home decoration items prepared by local crafts men and women, textile products from textile designers and traditional personal clothing weavers from Multan. In a corner, live music was being played and the flute player was rendering some soul stirring old tunes. This blogger spent two hours at the exhibition and saw a strong healthy attendance of art lovers witnessing and appreciating creativity come alive at Jacaranda Club; where Meraki Art brought together 35 iconic artists under one roof — a celebration of imagination, colour and expression; along with local crafts men & women.

"Meraki art by Shazia" refers to the artistic endeavors of Shazia Javaid, an artist and art curator based in Pakistan. She operates an online art gallery and organizes exhibitions, often using the handle "@_meraki_312" on social media platforms. The term "Meraki" is a Greek word meaning "to do something with soul, creativity, and love; to put something of yourself in your work". Mrs Shazia Javaid is life partner of one kind senior Brig Javaid Ashraf (R); who invited for the event and it must be said that it was a wonderful experience spending time at an "Art Exhibition" after a long time. One wishes sincere appreciation and thanks to Brig Javaid and Mrs Shaiza Javaid for organizing a delightful "Meraki Art" event true to its spirit. Such activities foster nation building by invigorating creative skills of artists and satiating artistic emotions of art lovers and arouse artistic feelings of onlookers and visitors.

This blogger experienced first art exhibition in early teen age at "Sir Syed Public School" in late 1970s; when the "Drawing Teacher" Sir Buksh encouraged students of all classes to draw their best and then he showcased them in an exhibition; which was attended by parents and art lovers of the city. One discovered the positives of art and exhibition at a very innocent age. Then next was an inter school competition of art and science in early 1980s; where students displayed their teachers assisted work of science and arts. It was a good learning curve to see science and art enthusiasts amalgamated on one single platform.

Then one attended few more such art exhibitions on the occasion of "Independence Day Celebrations" during 1980s held by National Council of Arts at Liaquat Memorial Hall, Rawalpindi. It was teen age learning time and one discovered the beauty of art as deeply motivating and soul stirring. The beauty of art is subjective and can be found in the harmonious arrangement by artist; which evokes positive emotions. Art's beauty is not limited to traditional aesthetics; it can also be found in its power to challenge our perspectives, provoke thought, or even stir a sense of ambivalence. The beauty in art can be the profound emotional impact on the viewer and one experienced it again on 23rd November 2025.

There were some very artistic and beautiful works by senior and young artists on display as paintings (Acrylic paint; Oil paint; Water colour paint; Pencil Sketches) Calligraphic works - mostly Quranic Verses were also on display. The textile designers are important aspect of society, as they lend their art to embrace humans’ clothing. One such named “fold.clothing” was also participating; saying that “art is the language of emotion and transformation. As a textile designer and painter, I love turning simple fabrics and blank canvases into timeless creations, that tell the story of colour and imagination.

One artist "Abu Turab" displayed "Turab Nagar" showcasing a "Village of Dreams" as a typical Pakistani village life in KPK. That reflected traditional rural life of the Pashtoon people of Pakistan; with houses made of clay, or mud. He described "the village culture is showcasing its strong sense of community, its respect for elders, honour of women folks and their traditional values".

One senior artist by the name of "Muhammad Saeed" from MS Studio also participated with his dazzling paintings of landscapes, polo games and horses. He is a self-taught oil painter, drawn to the quiet poetry of landscapes, the intimacy of still life, and the expressive strength of horses. His journey into art grew from a lifelong passion and a desire to capture moments that hold stillness, grace and emotions. His paintings reflect growth as an artist and his connection to the natural beauty that inspires the art lovers. His works invite the viewers to pause, reflect and experience the calm and meaning which paintings offer to art and art lovers.

Polo is a stick and ball game that is played on horseback as a traditional field sport, which is the world’s oldest known team sport. Polo is a game intrinsically entwined with nobility, strategic prowess, and, most importantly, the enduring partnership between horse and rider. The Artist Mr. Muhammad Saeed successfully stroked brushes to capture images of horses & human's grandeur at a polo game.

Horse has been profound partner of humans for thousands of years; as the horses were domesticated approximately 6,000 years ago in the Eurasian steppes, transforming human history by revolutionizing transportation, agriculture, and warfare. This partnership has been crucial to the development of many civilizations, fundamentally shaping human migration patterns, economic systems, and cultural practices across the globe. Horse and human's relationship may not be as profound as it was but somehow the grace and elegance of horses still captures human's emotions and feelings. Therefore many artists portrayed horse as an object on the canvas beautifully and artistically.

Art plays an important role for individuals, because it fosters creativity and self-expression, serves as a powerful tool for communication and empathy, and plays a crucial role in preserving culture and history. It enhances mental health by reducing stress and anxiety, promotes civic engagement, and allows for reflection on society and personal experiences. Art and crafts are important for society because they promote cultural preservation, emotional expression, and critical thinking. They also serve as a powerful tool for social commentary, foster community identity, and provide economic benefits. Through art and crafts, individuals can connect with their emotions, find meaning, and enrich their personal well-being, which can lead to a higher quality of life.

The art and crafts are important for nation building because they strengthen social cohesion, preserve cultural heritage, and promote economic growth through creative industries. By fostering creativity, critical thinking, and dialogue, the art and crafts help build a shared identity, connect diverse communities, and can even be a tool for social change and sustainable development.

Art and crafts exhibitions benefit society by boosting local economies, fostering community pride and social cohesion, and providing educational and creative inspiration. They act as platforms for artists and crafts men & women to showcase their work and connect with audiences, while also offering a means for the public to experience new ideas, cultures, and perspectives that can challenge perceptions and improve emotional well-being.

Art and crafts are indeed a fundamental and essential aspect of human society, serving as a universal medium for expression, communication, and cultural development. They are inseparable from human existence and have played a pivotal role throughout history, from ancient cave paintings to modern digital art.

There is a need to enhance arts and crafts activities in our national fabric; therefore, we shall organize such community art and crafts exhibitions frequently. We shall hold workshops, create public art displays and integrate art education into schools. "Meraki Art By Shazia" involved community members in the creative process, arranged "Jacaranda Arena" for artists and craftsmen to showcase their work, thus fostered a supportive environment. Their effort "Art Cafe" to support and enhance art learning is a much appreciable initiative and shall be benefited by public at large.