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Renowned artist Rukhe Neelofer Zaidi presented her exciting work in the exhibition and beautifully described her emotions with distinctive colours and textures.
Having keen understanding and appreciation of country’s rich cultural heritage, powerful and eye-catching work of Rukhe Neelofer communicates the different traditions of Pakistani society in a unique artistic style.

 
 

The Nation, March 21st 2008

 
     
 

Neelofer Zaidi creates depth and perspective through lines. People usually say that it is difficult to have one’s own style as everything has been done in art by someone else. Nonetheless, she manages to create something new.

 
 

Daily Times, March 20th 2008

 
     
 

Her intricate paintings will intrigue you while drawing you into their subtle messages of peace and sadness and creativity. They offer deep thinking.
Ms. Zaidi’s works also look into the subjects such as cultural diversity, traditions and basic human rights.
Nomad Gallery director Nageen Hyat said, “Rukhe is superb with details and her strength lies in her drawing. Her skill, drafting and creativity is excellent. The paintings are symbolic and the message is not forced upon the viewers. She promotes her roots through her art.” Neelofar Zaidi speaks from the woman’s voice. The paintings have substantial tangible feel and one wants to reach out and touch them, she said. “Her paintings depict a ray of hope as if she wants to reach out to achieve more as a woman through her art.

 
  Jamal Shahid - Dawn September 29, 2005  
     
 

Modern in perspective yet rooted in tradition. Neelofar’s paintings are admirable for the skill with which she manoeuvres the human figure with the help of lines, which, interestingly enough, are minimal. This aspect amply demonstrates the strength of her drawing.
Be it human forms, motifs, flat areas or plants, for Neelofar, these are all elements that are juxtaposed to create the overall impact of design on a flat surface. Her paintings are refreshing to the eyes because of the strong and vibrant colours, which do not jump at the viewer because of her skilful handling.

 
  Shahina Maqbool - The News September 29, 2005  
     
  The work of Rukh-e-Nilefer was quite different and superior than her fellows. Using well balanced compositions, soft expressions, she had achieved a national signitured style. All her work seemed to speak and dialogue with viewers. She had beautifully portrayed the different personalities with perfect draftsmanship in soft mood with balanced harmonized colors. The rendering and modeling is executed with dexterity.  
  Theera May – June 2001  
     
 

Through my subjects, I can communicate a multitude of emotions. My paintings help me to express the joy, sadness, pride and frustration I feel…
Her pictures strike you as contemporary both in style and in the themes, but she mainly paints in tempera.

 
  Dawn September 11, 2003  
     
  Neelofer heavily relies on tempera gouache and acrylic, with the background being decorative and carries complicated patterns.  
  The News September 5, 2003  
     
 

Rukhe Neelofar said that she mainly paints in the tradition of tempera, although her style and subject matter are very contemporary.
She employs the use of mainly tempera gouache or acrylics, in her work. The background is usually decorative and carries complicated patterns while the women she depict are simple and ordinary. However, despite their relative simplicity, they command attention.

 
  Lamia Zia - The Nation September 11, 2003  
     
 

The pursuit and practice of academic skills is s a traditional component of the early part of the artist’s career. The need to strike out and move away from the “given” is equally crucial for Neelofer, a painter of competence and sensitivity, the departures are now an imperative. The results have been rewarding. She investigate the challenges of deep space, the sensuousness of colour, the construction of a personal vocabulary. All this is part of an odyssey, that she has embarked on with commitment and feeling. One witnesses the appearance of a quietly maturing, lyrical version, which she can call her own…”

 
  Salima Hashmi  
     
 

This show was titled ‘Peace with India’ and comprised works by some important artists from both the countries. Some artists based their works on the arrangement of two colours, green and saffron – both of which can be associated with the religious or fundamental segments within the two nations. The conscious usage of contrasting (and complementary) hues was observed in the painting by Neelofer and in the installation of Sania Samad.

 
  Quddus Mirza - Libas International Issue 4, 2003  
     
 

Two very arresting portrait by young newcomers deserve special mention: a self-portrait by Mohammad Asif entitled “Self in Shadow” and a full figure study of a young man in red by Neelofer Zaidi.
The second has a striking colour design is created with two main colours: vermillion red and dark blue-green. The upper figure is red against a blue background and the lower blue against a red background.
The red flooring has interesting variations of tone that create a lively visual movement and bring the whole blank area live. The blue background is treated with simpler vertical strokes, using various shades of blue, green and some red but, appropriately enough, it is not made prominent. The whole portrait is skillfully drawn, and boldly painted with bright colours and strong light which make it a challenging task. However, it has been successfully executed and in a modern idiom.
There are a large number of entries in this exhibition. Younger artists like Khalid Mehmood and Neelofar Zaidi of Lahore and Mashkoor Raza and Imran Mir of Karachi are coming up with fresh creations.

 
  S. Amjad Ali - 4th National Exhibition 1982