In Tune with the Infinite

An indefinable something glows in the depths of her eyes, as though ignited by, and 'in tune' with the infinite.

The colours are poignant, vividly alive, the strokes strong, even colossal, the feel of tremendous movement on canvas, be they simple, daring or complex. The natural outpourings of a seasoned artist who is reaching out for her own expression. Laila Shahzada has just returned from a trip to beautiful Skardu, where she had gone to browse in nature's own music, and paint as her mood inclined.

Her recent 5 paintings (last, being finished) are a manifestation of her flight to the North. Laila is for the first time in a mellower mood, some what 'new' to this dynamic painter.

"Skardu was wonderful, the reflections of light miraculous, I constantly lived in a magical world of fantasy" -- She has tried to capture Skardu rich with splendour -- at close range. The most memorable experience for her were the strong mirrored clouds in whiffs -- woolly -- silver-grey-cast on shimmering blue lakes. Laila even bent in the boat to touch them, only to find the cool waters caressing her finger tips! The mirrored beauty of lakes and inanimate still-life objects was better than the original," she says. So in the enchanting sunlit world of Skardu, Laila's paintings were born and took shape in many-splendoured colours, an intimate contact, 'intune with the infinite'. Laila Shahzada needs no introduction as an artist. Though she hasn't exhibited in Pakistan for 3 years she did do so in London recently.

Acknowledged by connoisseurs and critics alike abroad, and at home for 2 decades, Laila is a Gold Medallist of Pakistan, and recipient of the Bicentennial Gold Medallion, and 'Key to the city of New York', awards. Private shows at Art Galleries, travelling exhibitions, films, one-man and group-shows all over the world, including Tamge-e-Imtiaz', awarded by the President of Pakistan, Laila has had her share of recognition and glittering fame.

Born an Aries in Littlehampton, England, Laila went to early school in 'Kimmins', Panchgani (Hill Station in India) and completed her higher education from Pakistan and London. She reminiscences about her school art teacher Miss. Scott, who inspired her artistic tendencies. Laila studied drawing, painting at the Royal Drawing Society (R.D.S.) and has even done a diploma in Textile Designing, and later, designed the first uniform for the P.I.A. She was brought up in a conventional eastern atmosphere.

A mother of three grown up children, she is not particular about food. Strong mugs of tea, and 'puffs' are her usual companions when working. In flashback her life surges as a painter who has reveled in painting', as her different series depict. The 'Indus Valley', 'Mohenjodaro', Drift 'Moods' (she calls them), and the last lot of paintings in 3 -- dimensional form. -- She goes from one phase into another, enriching her experiences inherent of the subject with powerful sweeps, vertical lines and vortexes, complimenting the violence of her colours. Her vibrating brush and passionate absorption in hues and shades, create compositions pulsating with life, be they bizarre, confound, or shimmering with sheer beauty, spell-binding, charming or horrifying! The mystical, mythological and religious imagery, the Buddha, the Taxila and Harrappa, and the Mohenjodaro, al speak of Laila as, "she resurrects the Past', where History comes 'alive' in paint! 'Beyond Time', could be applied to Laila's works. An inveterate worker, Laila says she only feels tired when a painting is not shaping as it should. But when it goes well, "I can paint with tremendous energy!"

Charged with life, Laila is unexpected in her choice of subjects. One comes into contact with freedom which can shock a conventional, and strangely dull society! In between a particular theme, which gives birth to a series, she paints a canvas or two quite 'different' to her reigning mood. Speaking of influence and inspiration, Laila says, "life is influencing you all the time, and God, the Creator -- is the highest inspiration!"

Asked if she felt anything unusual while painting, she says simply, "The first stroke, or maybe the next one is mine, but after that 'something'; takes over in an unconscious flow, until it is finished". It is only 'sometimes' that this happens, when colours blend, and the composition 'picturises' itself, a harmonious whole, when everything "falls into place", without too much conscious effort!

In this interview in her studio, where no journalist has peeped Laila showed her new canvases, spoke about her experiences, art, life and inspirations -- as her mood inclined -- and of course Skardu.

'Skardu'... "the heavens were cast as if at my feet!" breathes Laila ecstatically. 'The play of light fascinated me -- and continues to fascinate me."

She describes each one of her recent paintings. "Twixt 2 Mountains," is a view from her room window. This was inspired, "when the sun went down, there must have been an opening in the mountains where this 'shaft of light' filtered through -- it would light up just one part of the valley, as though it were a stage, and God's torch had lit it!"

Another one called "Parting of the waters", is about a lake in Skardu. When the waters flowed, where the colours divided, one side was completely green and the other very blue. The rush of waters is evident from this painting.

"Everyday", exults Laila, "the mountains, colours, and forms were different. I never saw it the same." She found it alluring that the elements could have so many varied moods. "I can't help painting", says this vibrant painter, "it is a compulsion". Laila has recently displayed some works at the Js Art Galerie, titled 'Old Masters, New Masters and Senior Artists'. She has also included a beautiful tapestry which is derived from one of her paintings from the Mohenjodaro series. It was re-created, for her by artist Saghir who has a specialized team of artisans from Dhaka working under his directions. He has also made tapestries for other artists. This is the first time weaving of the fine arts has been introduced in our, country.

Poetry has always inspired Laila, she has delved into Rumi, Omar Khayyam, Allama Iqbal and Khalil Gibran. "Reading Gibran is like taking a tranquilliser" she says. The combined effect of these masters of sufism reveals itself in etchings which have been termed mystical. Some even whisper 'mystery'. Her imaginative flight goes beyond the merely temporal, when the ethereal takes over. Some of her depictions are passionate -- others intense, but they always have vigour.

An avid traveller Laila enjoys the north in summer and prefers to explore Sind in winter especially the interior, to observe and absorb images and 'store it in little cubicles in her mind'. These impressions get transferred on canvas when the mood comes on. Talking of impressions, she laughs "impressions are all around me and suppressions!"

Most of the time Laila paints, in her special studio, alone immersed. It is her favourite past time as well as her profession and when her working hours are asked, she says with mirth simply spasmodic'! -- It's art and art', forever for her.

Years back Laila worked for Begum Hamidullah's 'The Mirror', as a fashion illustrator and received one of her first write-ups. The Mirror predicted -- "Laila is still young and there is no doubt that her work will mature and grow in stature with the years. Among the artists of Pakistan, Laila's name must surely be written."

About luck, fate, versus planning and struggle in her life, Laila comments 'a bit of everything'. She cheerfully advises aspirants to 'keep on aspiring' -- to get 'somewhere.'

Laila is candid about the people who are most important to her, 'every individual is important in his/her way'.

Talking about the problems in her field of work Laila says emphatically that the government should take note of the few art schools in the country, and encourage aesthetics of which there is no dearth in Pakistan.

Laila enjoys all types of music, according to her moods. "It affects me so much, it changes my strokes, even the colours."

Last but not the least was the off-beat question, "It is said that you are unexpected in your choice of subjects?" Laila answered quite simply, "The subjects come by themselves spontaneously -- form quite naturally."

These creative vibrations which seem to ignite her being, capturing moments of rapture, flow on in a "timeless saga of a restless spirit". But from this 'world of fantasy' -- Laila's Skardu mood, may well produce another exciting series...

Shamim Dallazi, SHE magazine, Pakistan. c. 1980s