Exhibit showcases German artist's mesmerising art

Express Tribune

29-05-2025

Visitors admire German artist Dagmar Rauwald's vision expressed through bold strokes and skillful mastery in her paintings displayed at the 'Intention vs Convention: Fluid Presence' exhibition at the PNCA in the federal capital. PHOTO: EXPRESS
Pakistan National Council of the Arts, National Art Gallery, Islamabad hosted the highly anticipated solo exhibition titled: "Intention vs Convention: Fluid Presence" by renowned German artist Dagmar Rauwald which will go on till June 3.
The event included an immersive workshop and presented a vibrant celebration of shared cultural heritage and creative exchange between Pakistan and Germany. The event was graced by Pakistan's Ambassador to Germany, Ambassador Shahid Kamal.
During the event, Dagmar Rauwald, a dynamic artist based in Hamburg, presented a captivating body of work that thrives on emotional expressiveness and conceptual depth. Her paintings, applied to transparent film with bold, sweeping gestures, evoke a tension between fluidity and solidity, lightness and opacity. By embracing transparent foils — either layered or singular — Rauwald immerses viewers in the immediacy of the present, abstracting real-world events influenced by media imagery and socio-political narratives.
Her exploration of hybridity and evolving visual codes invites a profound dialogue that bridges Western and Eastern traditions, drawing inspiration from the fluid rhythm of Urdu calligraphy. Through her concept of "fluid presence," Rauwald's art created a multilayered hermeneutic experience, resonating with contemporary discourses on gender, identity and the autonomy of artistic expression. Her mastery of technique and her commitment to fostering transcultural exchange have earned her national and international recognition.
Central to the event's success was the visionary curatorship of Farrah Mehmood, an esteemed Pakistani visual artist and educator. Farrah's dedication to nurturing cultural dialogue and artistic excellence elevated the exhibition, illuminating a path for future collaborations between Pakistan and Germany.
The event was further supported by Dr Carsten Brosda, Senator for Culture and Media, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, whose message of congratulations reflected his vision for sustained artistic exchanges between Hamburg and Islamabad. His emphasis on the importance of intercultural dialogue — particularly during these complex global times — resonated deeply with the event's purpose.
In its entirety, this landmark event demonstrated that art is not merely an aesthetic pursuit but a bridge that connects cultures, fosters mutual understanding, and builds a more harmonious world. The collective efforts of Shahid Kamal's inspiring leadership, Farrah Mehmood's curatorial brilliance, Mariam Ahmed's direction and Dagmar Rauwald's bold artistic expression stand as a testament to the transformative power of creativity, diplomacy and vision.
As this exhibition concludes, it leaves behind not just beautiful works and inspired minds but also a blueprint for future collaborations that will continue to strengthen the cultural, artistic, and educational ties between Pakistan and Germany.
The opening drew a diverse audience from the arts, media, diplomatic community, and development sectors. It was well-attended and warmly received, with visitors appreciating the variety of perspectives and the shared message that photography speaks across languages and backgrounds. The exhibition will remain open to the public until June 3, 2025, and can be visited during official PNCA gallery hours. PNCA has also announced a painting workshop by Dagmar.