By: Mehreen Ilahi.
Paintings are by : Amir Khatri. Mariam Maaz, Afifa Sheikh and Maryam Khan and Afifa Sheikh
Karachi : On February 2026, just days before the advent of Ramzan, Majmua The Art Gallery inaugurated a contemplative and quietly celebratory exhibition titled Peace & Joyful Bliss. Featuring works by Amir Khatri, Mariam Maaz, Maryam Khan, and Afifa Sheikh, the show unfolded as a thoughtful meditation on serenity, colour, and spiritual resonance.
As is customary at Majmua, visitors were welcomed by the delicate scent of rose petals wafting through the staircase and entrance—an olfactory prelude that gently prepared the senses for the visual experience within.
The most senior and internationally recognised artist in the exhibition, Aamir Khatri, continues to demonstrate the depth and consistency of a mature practice shaped by the legacy of Cubism, particularly the formal innovations of Pablo Picasso. Over decades, Khatri has developed his own disciplined spatial language, most recognisable in his signature slashing of the canvas with charcoal.
Prolific and wide-ranging in subject—horses, women, pigeons, and beyond—his work has been exhibited internationally, including recent showcases in Cuba and Argentina, and earlier presentations in Singapore, Malaysia, the UK, the USA, and Kenya. Majmua’s relationship with Khatri spans over 26 years, and this latest body of work—monumental birds and faces rendered on large canvases—imbues familiar motifs with a commanding, larger-than-life presence that is both assured and deeply engaging.
Mariam Maaz emerges as a vibrant counterpoint, her practice rooted in Fauvist sensibilities and an exuberant command of colour. Working boldly with a palette knife, she builds richly textured surfaces that pulse with energy. Works such as the striking Pink Tree echo Impressionist traditions while asserting a distinctly personal voice. Her floral compositions, carefree yet deliberate, carry an innocence that mirrors the artist’s own buoyant spirit. Collectively, her paintings radiate warmth, illuminating their surroundings and imparting a palpable sense of optimism.
In contrast, Maryam Khan’s contribution is marked by restraint and experimentation. Her two minimalist abstract works—oil on paper—employ gestural brushstrokes to striking effect, situating her practice firmly within a modern, avant-garde vocabulary. This, her second exhibition at Majmua, suggests an artist actively exploring multiple styles and genres, unafraid to test the boundaries of her visual language.
Afifa Sheikh, a calligrapher by instinct and training, continues to expand her practice through material and conceptual exploration. Currently experimenting with resin and calligraphic form, her recent work deftly integrates classical and contemporary elements of Nastaliq script. This fourth presentation at Majmua reflects a growing confidence and a thoughtful synthesis of tradition and innovation.
Adding a further layer to the exhibition, Ali Sajjad presents a mural that reimagines Quranic calligraphy and selected Surahs through a distinctly modernist lens. His unconventional use of colour and scale underscores his versatility and reinforces the exhibition’s overarching theme of spiritual expression through contemporary form.
Curator and gallery owner Mehreen Ilahi reflects that the language of art transcends borders, finding its true home in the hearts of people. With over 32 years dedicated to promoting art across various countries, she describes her journey—working closely with artists, guiding collectors, and engaging with writers and thinkers—as deeply fulfilling.
Peace & Joyful Bliss will remain on view throughout Ramadan. Majmua The Art Gallery, located on 14th Street, DHA Phase 5, Karachi, is open to visitors daily from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
By: Mehreen Ilahi
