Lines That World a River
Solo exhibition, Nottingham Contemporary UK
Curated by Niall Ó Faircheallaigh
with works by Ustad Abdul Aziz, Abdul Sattar and Aziza Ahmad
(2026)
The Arabic word for universe, alam, and the word for knowledge, ilm, share their root with the word alamah, a mark. This exhibition explores practices and lineages of drawing and mark-making through which coastal communities in Pakistan remain connected to sacred ecologies of rivers and sea amidst the violence and erasure of infrastructure. The works intertwines old and new practices of drawing talismans and painting river maps as echoing rituals that protect, invoke and keep alive endangered worlds. More details here.
Exhibition supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.
Lines That World a River installation view at Nottingham Contemporary, 2026. Courtesy Nottingham Contemporary. Photo: Jules Lister
*
Art work details:
[1] Lines That World a River لکیروں سے دریا تھامنا
by Shahana Rajani
with Ustad Abdul Aziz, Abdul Sattar, Fatima Bibi, Abida Dablo, Nawaz Dablo, Gulbano Dablo and Mudassir Sheikh
Three-channel video, sound, 14 mins 46 sec
[2] From River to Shrine دریا سے درگاہ
by Aziza Ahmad
with Shahana Rajani, Aisha Aijaz Jat, Ali Akbar Dablo, Ameerzadi Hasan Jat, Areeba Dablo, Areesha Dablo, Farzana Azeem Jat, Hajiani Jat, Haji Ali Jat, Halima Wasim Jat, Khadija Hidayatullah Jat, Nadia Ghulam Mohammad Jat, Naseer Abdul Sattar Jat, Shehzadi Qadir Baksh Jat, Maira Dablo, Mehboob Azeem Jat, Najma Ahmed Dablo, Naseema Qasim Dablo, Rashid Dablo, Yasmin Dablo, Zubair Azeem Jat
Animation, sound, 4 mins 51 sec
[3] Shrine paintings of the Indus Delta
by Abdul Sattar
Oil paint on plywood
[4] Fish paintings of the Indus Delta
by Ustad Abdul Aziz
Oil paint on plywood