Positivity on canvas

Hopes, dreams and optimism have an important role in the life and paintings of Dr. Muhsina Minhaz, a Qatari expatriate dentist. Her paintings, exhibited at the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi Art Gallery in Kozhikode, give an insight into her thoughts and perception of life. The Tirur-based dentist had done an exemplary work with her 32 acrylic exhibits. 

“I think of myself as a motivator. So I wanted to present life in a positive way. I took a break for one-and-a-half months from my profession to paint these, when I was at Qatar. It was a wonderful time, wherein I was able to look back into my childhood and life so far,” she says.

Muhsina was interested in painting from childhood and whenever she got an idea for painting, she used to write it in a diary. “When I got married, I told my husband I wanted to do an exhibition with these ideas. He was very supportive and I started to work on the project,” she said.

Most of her works are based on dreams. “I was a daydreamer in my childhood. I was able to replicate some of my dreams through my paintings. 

“I also wanted to give a positive outlook to life. My dad was a great motivator and used to motivate me saying if I had the will, I would achieve it. I have brought all these ideas out in my paintings,” she said.

Her exhibits also deal with a girl who unleashes her magic, and those who travel to gain experience. Though she says the message was for all genders, a girl is predominant in most of her works. 

The painting ‘Burning Girl’ deals with the discrimination girls face in society. Most of the paintings are colourful, surrealistic and abstract in nature.