"Worth A Thousand Words"

An exhibition of Traditional and Contemporary Miniature Paintings by Farrah Mahmood Adnan and Zarina Ijaz of Pakistan
With Lecture Presentation by Farrah Mahmood Adnan on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at the Gandhi Memorial Center in Washington, DC.

Farrah Mahmood Adnan, Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture and Design at COMSATS Institute of Information Technology in Islamabad, Pakistan came to the Gandhi Memorial Center in Washington, DC to share her traditional and contemporary Miniature paintings with the DC metro community along with paintings by her colleague, Zarina Ijaz. The spectacular detail and exquisite beauty of her paintings reveal the passion of these artists to preserve and carry forward the age old tradition of Miniature painting. In addition to exhibiting these works in the Gandhi Memorial Center, Farrah Mahmood Adnan gave a lecture presentation with slides on the history and technique of Miniature painting and related the heritage of technique and detail work to her own contemporary paintings with deep symbolism to communicate the social and cultural issues of modern day Pakistan. Farrah also made an appeal on behalf of those affected by the floods in Pakistan with special installation and slide show. Both artists will contribute half of the proceeds from sale of their art to those affected by the floods.

ARTIST STATEMENT

"I am an artist who is extremely influenced by my surroundings, culture and society. Being a student of Ustaad Bashir Ahmed, I practice the same ancient traditional technique of Miniature painting. I have been an Art Instructor for more than nine years and through my experience I have learned that teaching is not a process to give and demand, rather give, take and add. For every thought, which I share with my students, I receive hundreds of ideas, which further add to my research and work. In these years, I conducted workshops, theses and courses at various Institutions in Pakistan and abroad.

I want to share the knowledge of traditional Miniature painting and carry with me a part of the world in which I live. I desire to share the experiences, sights and sounds of my vision of traditional art of Indian Mughal Miniature painting, and the history and techniques with an American community. Miniature paintings are a very intricate art form, small in size, and full of details.The artist prepares the paper, brush and colors. This art form requires the utmost patience and concentration.

This traditional art is known all over the world but unfortunately, we do not know about its roots and correct technique. To create greater awareness and to promote this dying art we need to transfer this art form to the next generation. All the decorative motives and calligraphy are the part of this Islamic Art. Through the sharing of this art form and discussions about its history, I hope to positively increase the exposure to the U.S community about the heritage, tradition and culture of the Sub-continent." - Farrah Mahmood Adnan

Pakistani artist, Farrah Mahmood Adnan, greets audience members after her slideshow presentation on the history and technique of Miniature painting at the Gandhi Memorial Center, Washington, DC.

Installation in honor of the victims of those affected by the floods in Pakistan created by Farrah Mahmood Adnan during her exhibition in the Gandhi Memorial Center, Washington, DC.

Members of the audience for Farrah Mahmood Adnan's presentation and viewers of the art exhibition.

Guests discuss the exhibition with the artist, Farrah Mahmood Adnan

Guests present for the exhibition of paintings by Farrah Mahmood Adnan and Zarina Ijaz in the Gandhi Memorial Center, Washington, DC.

Artist, Farrah Mahmood Adnan with her son Qasim, Carrie Trybulec, Director of Gandhi Memorial Center and friends from the Washington, DC Pakistani community

Conversation with artist, Farrah Mahmood Adnan and son, Qasim, with Carrie Trybulec, Director of Gandhi Memorial Center and friend at the opening of "Worth A Thousand Words".

Audience members following the presentation on Miniature painting by Farrah Mahmood Adnan of Pakistan at the Gandhi Memorial Center.