In the heart of our flowered city, a literary phenomenon took place, “Art & Book Exhibition” which was not an ordinary display of art and books; it was an expedition into the dominion of creativity where both literary and artistic worlds collide. Organized by TOOP ( The Order of Pen) on September 30, 2023, at NIC Peshawar, the event started at 10:30 a.m. and concluded around 5:00 p.m.
Looking forward, the Toopistan team warmly welcomed all the guests. Stepping into the hall through the ornamented arches, everyone was immediately mesmerized by the setting and beckoned by the whispers of admiration. The gallery’s impeccable white walls served as a blank canvas ready to be embellished with masterpieces of both written and visual art.
At the entrance, book sellers transformed visitors into a literary world. The book stalls had a wide range of collections, from poetry and novels to fiction, non-fiction, Islamic literature, comics, storybooks, rhymes, and much more. Just a few steps away from the book stalls, one could catch a glimpse of all the artists standing at their stalls, presenting their unique artworks.
The purpose of the event was to showcase the talent of Peshawar’s youth and to educate people about the true meaning of art and literature. From rare book sellers to prospective artists, artworks visualized various themes, portraits, paintings, and designs. Similarly, most of the perfectly painted artworks displayed were visual art pieces, even though their creators came from diverse backgrounds such as medicine, dentistry, business, finance, and even the IT sector.
Many spectacular visual art works were set forth by these artists. Articulating different types of subjects through their artworks, the art pieces ranged from calligraphy, portraits, line art, abstract art, photography, etc. During the exhibition, some of the artists were interviewed about their art.
One of the artists Manahel Saleem, a medical student, inspired the visitors through her majestic artworks, which included portraits, calligraphy, and abstract art. Her portraits of anime characters and Korean boys were worth seeing. 
Some landscape paintings projecting the deep meanings of life were among her prominent artworks. For instance, one of her paintings depicted a “broken soul hanging by a split; if given even one more stroke, it will lead to its end.”
Roshana, a student at Peshawar University, displayed her outstanding art skills through majestic artworks. One of her works of art was about Chinese mythology that says that when two souls are met, there is a string between their hands from which they can find each other.
Yamna Aziz, a multi-talented girl and a student at Home Economics College, 
had amazing skills in crafting items and paintings. She also owned a small business of handicrafts selling customized gifts to decor items. One of her spectacular paintings was about a unique subject, a study room over a coffee shop, which was admirable.
One of the talented and self-taught artists was Ayesha. 
Unique and natural, her artworks were diverse encompassing handicrafts, mandala art, abstract art, and foil art. Overall, she was truly a unique artist inspired by culture. Sharing her feelings, she said, “I don’t paint the world I see; I paint the world I feel”.
The Art and Book Exhibition was indeed a delightful event, mingling both visual and written art. It brought together a diverse assortment of artists. Visitors had an opportunity to explore the creativity and hidden potential of the student artists. This exhibition not only celebrated the beautiful art but also presented a sense of community and cultural enrichment. As the exhibition came to an end, it left an unforgettable impression on each and every individual’s mind.
Some of the compliments and feedback received from the visitors are provided below:
“Very impressive and interesting. I loved all the artwork. I had a lot of fun. Thank you.”
– Maheen Zahra
“It was really fun and interesting. I gained a lot of knowledge about art. It was really nice to meet so many talented artists”.
-Hafsa Huma
“The paintings and arrangements were good”.
-Umar Khan
“New things, new experiences. It was a mental peace therapy for me. I am so glad to see Pakistan has such a hidden talent”.
-Yaqaoob Rehman
“It was definitely full of colors. I would love to visit again”.
-Shayan Ilahi
“I just joined TOOP. Outstanding event. I am so glad to be here”.
-Anum Gul
“Being a psychologist is therapeutic! I have seen so many things in one place”.
– Mubashir
Do share your valuable feedback in the comment section.
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