- 77
Waseem Ahmed
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
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Description
- Waseem Ahmed
- Burqa Series 3
- Signed in Urdu lower centre and further inscribed 'WASEEM AHMED / title:- BURQA SERIES "3" / Medium:- Gouache on Tea Stained Wasli paper / Size:- 11"½ x 5"½ / Date:- 2001 / PRICE = 800$' on reverse
Also bearing a Chemould Frames label on reverse
- Gouache on wasli
- Folio: 35.4 x 23.9 cm. (13 ⅞ x 9 ⅜ in.); Image: 29 x 14 cm. (11 ⅜ x 5 ½ in.)
- Executed in 2001
Provenance
Sotheby's London, 15 June 2010, lot 81
Exhibited
Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst, Dahlem Karkhana: Waseem Ahmed, 9 November 2014 - 5 April 2015
Condition
There are pinholes present along the edges and corners. Small irregularities are visible across the surface due to the nature of the medium. Light craquelure is present upon close scrutiny, most notably in the orange pigment. Four pinhole sized abrasions are also visible above the male figure. It is recommended that the painting is reframed with a conservation mount.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Waseem Ahmed is one of the leading miniature artists in Pakistan. He was born in India to a family that had migrated from Indian to Pakistan during Partition. His troubling experiences of Sindhi Manhajir conflicts and traumatic experiences of public violence, since childhood, are translated into his work.
His extraordinary series of miniatures discuss contemporary and highly topical issues. His unique style is confrontational and powerful, unsettling the connection with traditional miniatures. His artwork takes a critical view of social, political and cultural matters, with a slant towards the issues faced by the Islamic world. Ahmed chose this medium of painting as for him, it was the only one where he could portray negative subjects in a beautiful and delicate way, with lightness and finesse.
His inspiration for contemporary miniatures comes from his daily life and interactions in Lahore, from the shopkeeper to the Imam. Mullahs are one of the artist’s recurrent characters, which are gently painted like saints with expressions of harmony and peace. Gardens are another popular subject matter symbolising visions of paradise, often embellished with fine calligraphy. These vistas of beauty are juxtaposed with darkness, as we see here between the interplay of the characters. The artist’s ultimate aim is to represent the contradiction which lies between our life of desires and the transiency of life.
His extraordinary series of miniatures discuss contemporary and highly topical issues. His unique style is confrontational and powerful, unsettling the connection with traditional miniatures. His artwork takes a critical view of social, political and cultural matters, with a slant towards the issues faced by the Islamic world. Ahmed chose this medium of painting as for him, it was the only one where he could portray negative subjects in a beautiful and delicate way, with lightness and finesse.
His inspiration for contemporary miniatures comes from his daily life and interactions in Lahore, from the shopkeeper to the Imam. Mullahs are one of the artist’s recurrent characters, which are gently painted like saints with expressions of harmony and peace. Gardens are another popular subject matter symbolising visions of paradise, often embellished with fine calligraphy. These vistas of beauty are juxtaposed with darkness, as we see here between the interplay of the characters. The artist’s ultimate aim is to represent the contradiction which lies between our life of desires and the transiency of life.