Seen & Unseen: A Review

Yamna Dar

A review of an art exhibition held in Islamabad to mark 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence; curated by Fang Wang Linulf and Usman Ahmed.

In a world that moves too fast, the art exhibition ‘Seen & Unseen’ asks us to do something different. It asks us to slow down, look closely and think about things that are often hidden. Created for ‘The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’—a project initiated by Catherine Weibel, the Director of UNIC—curators Fang Wang Linulf and Usman Ahmed brought together nineteen artists from all over Pakistan who show us that violence isn’t just physical, it also lives in silence and in the way people are repeatedly overlooked. To prepare for this sensitive topic, Fang Wang and Usman Ahmed conducted extensive research and made numerous studio visits across the country. 

From the moment you walk into the gallery, you are amazed by the scale and quality of the work. Putting together a show this big is a very difficult task, but Fang and Usman pulled it off perfectly. You can tell how meticulously they chose every single piece to make sure it aligned with the theme. Each artwork fits so well that the whole exhibition feels like one big, beautiful story.

The exhibition is divided into three sections: Khâk (Earth), Manzar (View), and Roshni (Light). These aren’t just spaces, they are different feelings. You move from the heavy feeling of the earth to a space where you can see and pause, and finally to a place of understanding. The way the curators designed the space shows mastery. They created ‘pauses’ between the artworks so you aren’t overwhelmed. This spacing is important because the works are not meant to be looked at quickly while passing by—they demand attention and time.

'After All It’s Always Somebody Else Who Dies' by Adeela Suleman

What makes this show so powerful is that it doesn’t treat gender-based violence as a simple topic. For example, AB Rahman’s work The Girl Who Built Her Own Companion tells a story about a sister who is kept inside her home while her other sibling is kept free. She then uses technology to build a friend for herself, showing how imagination helps us survive. Another piece that leaves a huge impact is by Adeela Suleman. Her work After All It’s Always Somebody Else Who Dies features hundreds of stainless-steel birds. From far away, it looks beautiful, but up close, it represents lives lost to violence. It draws you in with its beauty and then makes you face a difficult truth.

'Mother Stitched' by Niamat Nigaar

The curators also focused on memory and the inner lives of women. Aiman Amin shares quiet photographs and a haunting video of Baloch women. The sound of a woman singing fills the room, making you feel a deep connection to a story you might not have known before. Ali Abbas uses stitched fabric to show a figure with visible scars; Niamat Nigaar uses his mother’s stitched works to show the quiet, hard work women do to keep families together. Every artist, from Amna Manzoor with her sculptural thorns to Amna Rahman and her confident paintings, shows that women are complex and strong.

From 'Thrik' by Aiman Amin

The films in the exhibition add a beautiful, steady rhythm to the show. In her work Superman, Aroosa Naz Rana gently breaks down old ideas about masculinity by simply showing two women watching a movie. Meanwhile, Mehrosh Alam’s film, Afas: Longing, gives voice to women from Chitral, whose love for music is often limited by social rules. Her filmmaking is patient and deeply respectful. She doesn’t rush the story; instead, she makes the feeling of longing for something you can actually see and feel. Both artists use these moving images to add a soulful touch to the entire experience.

One of the most memorable sights in the exhibition is the work of Ubaid Tariq. He presents shattered matkas or ghallas (clay pots) scattered across the floor. It is a powerful image; paired with a poetic performance it truly engages the viewer by creating a special space where everyone is forced to stop, listen and reflect.

'Between Shapes and Us' by Ubaid Tariq

The reason Seen & Unseen is such a success is because it doesn’t tell you how to feel. It doesn’t lecture the audience. Instead, it creates a space for recognition. Fang and Usman have managed this large-scale project remarkably well. They have also coordinated visits from different institutions, ensuring the exhibition serves as a powerful learning tool for aspiring artists and young minds. This exhibition shows that being ‘seen’ is about more than just being put on display—it’s about being allowed to be complex. These artworks don’t ask for your sympathy, they ask for your attention.

All photos courtesy of the author.

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Yamna Dar began her journey through traditional painting before expanding into large and small-scale sculptural forms, layering wasli, clay, paper and light to build intimate, narrative-driven worlds. Her digital illustrations further reflect her adaptability and curiosity as a contemporary artist. Her work has been showcased at PNCA, O Art Space, Muse Gallery, Alhamra, VM Gallery, the Danish Residence and most recently at the NCA Triennale 2025.

With curatorial experience at Khaas Contemporary, she now teaches at NCA Rawalpindi, continuing to shape and inspire the next generation of artists with the same sincerity and passion that guide her own evolving work.