A Solo Project by Waqas Khan for the Disegni Sector of Artissima 2019

For the galleryâ€™s sixth participation in a row in Artissima, Sabrina Amrani is bringing to Turin a presentation by Pakistani artist Waqas Khan, for the Disegni sector of the fair.

The presentation begins with a selection of works from Khanâ€™s Forming Spaces series that the artist has executed in the last year, using white ink on white paper. This choice of colour is not arbitrary: the white on white makes it a lot more difficult for the viewer to see, comprehend and finally behold the intricate designs painstakingly drawn, line by line, dot by dot by the artist. Khan is intentionally forcing the viewers to take their time, slow down their pace, and spend some time interacting with the works. The more you look at them, the more you see the ink deposited on the surface.

The context of the presentation is not arbitrary either: art fairs are increasingly visually and intellectually overwhelming for visitors, with a very small attention span to each exhibited work. Waqas is creating a sanctuary for meditation, space where you ought to breath in and out, in synchronization to the artistsâ€™ meditative practice.

The presentation shows two works from Khanâ€™s Alphabet series, a new body of work recently presented for the first time at Khanâ€™s second solo show in a museum, at the MUSAC (Spain), a polyptych work from his Symphony and a trio series.

Waqas Khan, Alphabet series, installation view / Courtesy of Sabrina Amrani Gallery

Waqas Khan, Alphabets III, 2019, Archival ink on wasli paper. 50 x 76 cm / Courtesy of Sabrina Amrani Gallery

Waqas Khan, Detail of Alphabet series, III, 2019 / Courtesy of Sabrina Amrani Gallery

Waqas Khan, Alphabets IV, 2019, Archival ink on wasli paper. 50 x 76 cm / Courtesy of Sabrina Amrani Gallery

Waqas Khan, Detail of Alphabet series, IV, 2019 / Courtesy of Sabrina Amrani Gallery

Waqas Khan, Forming Spaces IX, 2019, Archival ink on wasli paper. 32 x 23 cm / Courtesy of Sabrina Amrani Gallery

Waqas Khan, Detail of Forming Spaces IX, 2019 / Courtesy of Sabrina Amrani Gallery

Waqas Khan, Forming Spaces VI, 2019, Archival ink on wasli paper. 32 x 23 cm / Courtesy of Sabrina Amrani Gallery

Waqas Khan, Detail of Forming Spaces VI, 2019 / Courtesy of Sabrina Amrani Gallery

Waqas Khanâ€™s work is part of very prominent public collections, such as The British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Manchester Art Gallery, Deutsche Bank Collection, The Whitworth, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, and Manchester Museum, to name a few. This year he showed his work at the Asia Pacific Triennale, at the QAGOMA, in Brisbane.