Artists express emotions through colours and reflect society through their creative work. Art is a powerful and effective means of expression, speakers said at an exhibition of art and craft works held at the Institute of Arts and Design, University of Sindh, Jamshoro.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Fateh Muhammad Marri (TI.). The event was attended by Director of the Institute Dr Saeed Ahmed Mangi, Deans Dr Muhammad Khan Sangi and Dr Lachhman Das Dhomeja, Syndicate Members Dr Arfana Begum Mallah and Dr Humera Hakro, faculty members from various departments, and students.

The institute’s Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Art Gallery showcased beautiful abstract art and craft works created by students from various disciplines, including Fine Arts, Communication and Textile. The artworks reflected a variety of themes. The Vice Chancellor took a keen interest in the students’ creations and appreciated their efforts.

Addressing the ceremony, Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Fateh Muhammad Marri said the students of the institute possessed immense talent and that the university was providing them with ample opportunities to showcase their abilities both within and outside the campus.

Referring to two major programmes recently organised in Karachi through collaboration between the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC) and the University of Sindh, he said more than 700 students from various universities had participated in those programmes. He added that the artworks presented by University of Sindh students had been particularly prominent at the art exhibition.

He said the university was making efforts to organise exhibitions of its students’ artworks soon at the Karachi Arts Council and other platforms.

The Vice Chancellor said art conveyed a message of peace and that artists were ambassadors of peace. He added that a music society had also been established at the university, as music was an important part of art. He said the university wanted to provide students with maximum opportunities to express their abilities and spread the message of peace and love through art.

Earlier, Director of the Institute Dr Saeed Ahmed Mangi welcomed the participants and outlined the objectives of the exhibition in his opening remarks.

Addressing the participants , Dean of the Faculty of Arts Dr Muhammad Khan Sangi said that when thoughts and emotions were expressed through colours, they appeared more beautiful and appealing. He said exhibitions of this kind helped showcase students’ creative abilities and encouraged them to further develop their talent.

Director of the Institute of Chemistry and Syndicate Member Dr Arfana Begum Mallah said the Institute of Arts and Design offered a new surprise at every exhibition, with unique artworks on different themes presented each time.

She said the students were exceptionally talented and that their abilities needed to be further nurtured. She proposed that the Vice Chancellor introduce a separate scholarship scheme for students of the institute, noting that creating artworks involved considerable expenses. She said scholarships would provide students with the financial support needed to continue their creative activities more effectively.

Dr Arfana Begum Mallah further suggested that exhibitions of students’ artworks be organised at institutions in major cities across the country, including Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, to give students opportunities to showcase their talent to wider audiences.

On the occasion, the Institute of Arts and Design presented the Vice Chancellor with two portraits of Professor Dr Abdul Qadir Ansari and Professor Dr Deen Muhammad Shaikh, the founding teachers of the university’s Departments of Zoology and Physiology. Professor Dr Ansari had also served as Vice Chancellor of Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam. The Vice Chancellor handed over the portraits to Dr Riffat Sultana, Chairperson of the Department of Zoology, and Dr Zulfiqar Ali Laghari, Chairman of the Department of Physiology.

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