Abu Dhabi: An art exhibition titled ‘Metanoia’ by artist Zari Kaarina Jafri, was held at the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
The exhibition displayed 19 canvas drawings by the multicultural and multilingual artist of Pakistani and Finnish parentage.
“I feel very special and anxious at the same time, because today is my first solo exhibition after one year of hard work, and I am very eager on getting people’s feedback,” Jafri said.
Metanoia, symbolises abstract paintings using mixed-media that allows interpretation of expression, based on the fundamental change in self, character, and outlook in life and beyond.
“I’ve always been a keen observer of people and life; a secular spirit who dreams of unity of mind, body and soul of the planet and I believe that art can link people and bring them closer. I put my heart into my work, paint unspoken words and express global secular love on canvas,” she said.
Inspired by renowned Pakistani poets Iqbal and Faiz, Pakistani spiritual issues and Sufi and global fusion music, Jafri’s artwork portrays Sufism and conveys the message of peace and tolerance.
Her work reflects love, compassion, secularism, compassion, and divinity and a passion for painting at a tender age. “As a young girl, I used to paint a lot and my father was very passionate about art. After getting married and coping with family responsibilities, my passion for painting and art was lost in translation, but after my children grew older and pursued their dreams, I decided to unleash my passion and just let myself be taken over by the movement of my brush on canvas, only then I experienced rebirth with every stroke, and started to paint again,” she added.
Jafri says that she feels life from human energy around her, a philosophy she passed on to her children Iman, 20, and Aryan, 18.
Moazzam Ahmad Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan said, “Promoting Zari’s art is our way of recognising and appreciating the cross-cultural dimension reflected in her work, and the message of acceptance and tolerance. Today, we are keen on showing the bright and promising side of Pakistan and what it has to offer.”
The Ambassador of Portugal to the UAE, Joaquim Moreira De Lemos, his and wife Paula De Lemos who were at the exhibition, said: “It’s our first time to see Zari’s work, and we were particularly impressed with one of her paintings that incarnated a modest, humble and sad look of a woman. Her drawings cultivate questions and answers and draws the viewer into a conversation.”
Omar Durrani, 50, oculo plastic surgeon and wife Sherry Durrani, 46, psychotherapist from Pakistan, explained how they were inspired with the unique and divine drawings that combined Sufi poetry and writings. “We have immense respect for art and you can easily relate to Zari’s drawings. We were particularly touched when her drawings glowed and illuminated in the dark. That really struck us, and viewing her work brings you to a different level of consciousness,” Durrani said.
Ahmad Al Yafei from Abu Dhabi Art Hub expressed his interest in the artistic values of the drawings. “I’m very impressed with Zari’s integration of unspoken words of writings and poetry, it just strikes me how she combined all these artistic values in her drawings,” Al Yafei said.
Saira Saeed, programme manager from the US, explained how the exhibition is a great platform for interaction and cross-cultural artistic exchange between national, regional and international artists.
Asma Samir is a journalist based in Abu Dhabi
