Paashaan Collection: Jehangir Art Gallery Exhibition 2025
The artworks showcased below belong to the exquisite ‘Paashaan’ collection, featuring intricate charcoal and pen & ink paintings that capture the essence of artistic expression.
Stone has silently witnessed the passage of time, reflecting history, culture, and human expression. “Paashaan,” meaning stone, examines the relationship between stone carving and storytelling in painting. This exhibition highlights the depth, texture, weight, and endurance of stone, revealing the stories it holds.
Using charcoal, ink, and oil, I aimed to capture the essence of stone as both an artistic subject and a medium of narration. Like ancient civilizations that carved tales into rock faces, my artworks translate this sculptural language onto canvas, embodying the craftsmanship and timeless nature of stone carving while offering glimpses into the cultural narratives embedded in these forms.
Whether depicting architectural ruins, temple reliefs, or abstract interpretations, each piece is a meditation on the endurance of art. In “Paashaan”, stone becomes a medium of memory—a silent storyteller whispering tales of bygone eras and spiritual devotion. This exhibition invites viewers to see stone as a living testament to human history and artistic legacy.
Charcoal
Charcoal is one of the oldest and most expressive drawing mediums in the history of art. Made from burnt organic materials like wood or vines, it offers deep, velvety blacks and a broad tonal range—from delicate grays to intense shadows. Its powdery texture allows for both bold, gestural strokes and subtle, smudged shading, making it ideal for capturing mood, form, and movement.
Artists favor charcoal for its immediacy and versatility. It can be used for quick sketches or refined, detailed work, and it responds beautifully to pressure and touch. Whether applied with precision or blended with fingers or cloth, charcoal invites a tactile, almost raw connection between the artist and their subject.
Often used in figure drawing, landscapes, and portraiture, charcoal carries a dramatic quality that evokes depth and emotion—bringing life to the paper with its rich, expressive mark-making.
Pen & Ink
Stippling with pen and ink is a meticulous and meditative art form that builds images through thousands of tiny dots. Using fine-tipped pens, the artist carefully places each dot to create depth, texture, and tonal variation—without the use of lines or shading. The closer the dots, the darker the tone; the farther apart, the lighter the area, allowing for a stunning sense of volume and contrast.
This technique demands patience, precision, and a deep understanding of light and shadow. It’s often used for highly detailed illustrations, botanical studies, portraits, and architectural renderings, lending a timeless, almost engraved quality to the artwork.
Pen and ink stippling transforms simplicity into complexity—revealing how something as minimal as a single dot can contribute to a powerful, intricate whole.
The House of SHAI; 