based Pakistani artist Asma Tariq holds solo exhibit and paints on the spotBy Munwarunissa Nazneen Saudi Gazette No matter the size, paintings can portray emotions, beauty, culture and history. Certain artists derive inspiration especially from the past's rich, traditional lifestyle. Asma Tariq is one such artist. Tariq's work ranges from oil paintings to watercolors, acrylic, pastels, pencil and charcoal sketching and realistic/abstract sculpture. However, it is her distinctive miniature paintings that were inspired by classic Mughal style. Her paintings speak volumes about the powerful empire's culture and traditions. Nature-inspired paintings are also a major part of her portfolio. The professional painter from Pakistan has done many solo and group exhibitions in Riyadh. She conducts art workshops and also paints freelance. With a master's degree in fine arts from the Institute of Art and Design (IAD) — University of Punjab in Lahore, she also holds a distinctive position in a group of traditional miniature painters at the IAD. To paint miniature paintings, Tariq uses a wide range of art supplies. The intricate details in her works are painted with handmade single-hair paintbrushes, with a magnifying glass used to attain perfection. Real gold paste is used to paint the traditional Indian jewelry worn by the Mughals. Tariq hosted a grand two-day solo exhibition dubbed “Variations of Islamic Art” (VIA) on April 16-17 at the College of Science of Al-Faisal University (AFU) in Riyadh, where she painted on the spot for the visitors. She also delivered a lecture on VIA, focusing on Mughal-style painting, miniature paintings and how to have fun while playing around with colors and other art media. Prince Bandar Bin Saud Bin Khalid, president of the university and King Faisal Foundation, together with Prince Fahd Bin Khalid Bin Fahad graced the exhibition. They praised Tariq's on-the-spot symbolic portrait of King Faisal, the namesake of the institute. Also appreciative of Tariq's exceptional paintings were Prince Khalid Bin Fahd Bin Khalid, a philanthropist supportive of AFU's research efforts; Professor Faisal Mubarak, provost; and Dr. Hisham Abad, AFU professor. Tariq characterized miniature paintings as objects that draw the viewer into an intimate, concentrated little world that could prove breathtaking. She said that every single detail and stroke is painstaking and only with high magnification can one behold the immaculate details of the artist's technique. The technique requires a specialized means of producing a perfect balance of color and detail. The balance needs to be achieved in a series of thinly applied layers of colors intended to reflect light, she said, showing a high standard of design and mastery of the chosen media and palette. A high-quality miniature painting takes many hours to finish. The work requires utmost concentration and very careful planning. Tariq said clean and dust-free conditions are essential; even a single grain of dust could create problems when painting details are measured in millimeters. Tariq said that the term “miniature” first refers to technique and then to the size of the painting. The viewer must look at the work closely to fully appreciate both the technique and the image, she said. __
