Contemporary artists these days frequently engage with the concept of the ‘anthropocene’, transforming it into a subject that reflects the anxieties and concerns of our disturbing times. It is a term coined by scientists to describe the geological period in which we currently live — an era defined by the profound impact of human activity on the Earth’s systems.
Wars, greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, melting glaciers, floods, deforestation, rising global temperatures and the ongoing bloodshed of innocent people caused by human cruelty are all forces that place existence itself at risk, disrupting the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
In an age in which human hands have altered the very rhythm of the planet, the paintings on display at the exhibition Imaginary Ecosystems at the La Galerie Alliance Francaise de Lahore echo this transformation, capturing the tension between nature and human presence. The overall body of work by the artist Kausar Iqbal is deeply rooted in Surrealism.
It is not intended to be decorative or immediately pleasing; instead, it deliberately unsettles, confronting the viewer through distortion and unease. The imagery carries layered meanings, exploring psychological tension, intrusion and the complexities of human thought. Through unexpected juxtapositions and disquieting visual narratives, the work resists passive viewing. At this exhibition, curated by Anne Sophie Francais, all the works on display are untitled.
