Pakistan Orbit - Komal Tauqeer

“My work in calligraphy is my dialogue with God, and my work of nature is a window to God’s majestic beauty” – Afshan Kohari

At a very young age, Afshan’s father was transferred to Chittagong, Bangladesh, from Jehlum, Pakistan, where she was born. The company her father worked for was surrounded by forest and mountains, and the ocean was just walking distance from their house. Afshan spent ten years of her life in this piece of heaven, inspired by the beauty of nature all around her, where she completed her early education. Afshan’s parents were very creative and nature lovers which transcended effortlessly into her personality. Sadly, in the war of 1971, the family moved to Karachi as they were forced to leave Chittagong in a rush, with only their memories.

Afshan got a bachelors in arts degree from St. Josephs College in Karachi. Growing up, she experimented with many different mediums, and finally found oil as the most suited medium for her as it blends in beautifully and gives the artist the time to perfect their creation. Inspired by nature, encouraged by her father, Afshan can proudly say that “I am a self-taught artist”. Her father always said, “there are only two choices in life, do what you love or love what you do,” and si she explains, “I am blessed because I’m able to do what I love”.

“I have been displaying my work since I can remember, but in recent days, I formally display my work whenever I get a chance, even at home, but I truly discovered my passion for art after the death of my eldest daughter. Painting on canvas felt like bandaging the wounds of my soul, and art became a way to, not only express myself, but also heal myself and glorify the beauty of nature.”

Talking about calligraphy, Afshan says “my work in calligraphy is my dialog with God, and my work of nature is a window to God’s majestic beauty. Aside from calligraphy, I like to work in figurative, landscape, still-life, realism, and abstract among others. I want to show the peace, serenity, and tranquility of nature to the world with my art, as I am peaceful person myself.”

Art is the oldest form of expression and it has grown tremendously over the years. Art is the universal language through which a message can be portrayed to any audience, anywhere in the world, without being translated.