Pakistani sculptor Shabir Ahmed Mir breathes 'Life' into Kommogene Biennale 2024

A Pakistani artist, Shabir Ahmed Mir, has masterfully conceptualised the resilience and spirit of the 2022 earthquake victims in Turkey with his sculpture, "Life," showcased at the Kommogene Biennale 2024, garnering critical acclaim.

On February 6, 2022, an earthquake struck Adiyaman and 10 other provinces in southern Turkey, leaving more than 50,000 dead and hundreds of thousands homeless as it razed or damaged an equal number of buildings, prompting a long and severely painful recovery.

Mir was invited to the second Kommagene Biennale, an art and sculpture exhibition based in the city of Kâhta in Adiyaman, one of the provinces most devastated by the disaster.

This year the event commemorated the trauma and suffering of those affected by the 2022 earthquake and celebrated their perseverance.

As the theme of the event was “Rising,” Mir was tasked with expressing the pain of the people through the use of local materials and crafts from the province.

Mir's work, created from mattress springs, symbolises the "intricacies of life" and the unwavering perseverance of a people who have endured immense hardship.

In an exclusive interview with Geo.tv, Mir shared his experience of building the piece from scratch, noting that it took “three days of build-up” under challenging conditions.

“I was there for 16 days. It took a considerable amount of time for material selection and build-up —roughly eight days of intense hard work. The major challenge was constructing the sculpture on the island, which is uneven, barren land with no shade, and in scorching heat. It took me almost three days just for the build-up,” says Mir.

At the Kommagene Biennale 2024, 54 artists were invited to display their works, including 27 from abroad and 27 from Turkey.

Mir, a recipient of numerous accolades including the Ring of Life award at the 9th edition of Dubai Design Week 2023 and the Magzoid Emerging Art Icons Award 2023 for Best Installation Art, regards his participation in the Turkish Biennale as a great honour.

“It was a great honour to be selected out of 200 submitted proposals. It gives me great pleasure that my work has won the trust of esteemed jury members Nihat Ozdal, Dr Habil Prof Istvan Eross, Ri Eung-woo, Dr Habil Prof Kristaps Zarins, Varol Topac, and Dr Habil Prof ASP Bogdan Achimescu," the artist said extending his heartfelt appreciation.

Mir, an alumnus of the National College of Arts (NCA) Lahore, says he has a passion for sculptures and calligraphy and his art piece at the Biennale, reflects both his artistic zeal and the resilience and perseverance of the people of Turkey.

Looking at “Life,” it is clear that the art piece holds a much deeper and more symbolic meaning. When asked about the deeper significance of his creation, Mir explains that his piece, made from “mattress springs,” reflects the “intricacies of life.”

“Our lives are threads of reality, dreams, and aspirations, intricately woven to form our unique worlds. Inspired by the curatorial concept and Turkey’s history of natural disasters, the piece titled “Life” is crafted from mattress springs,” the sculptor said.

Unsurprisingly, Mir’s choice of material carries significant meaning, relating to the persistent echoes that follow death, destruction, and earthquakes.

“This material choice serves to evoke a deep awareness of the lingering impact of earthquakes. The springs, remnants of disrupted sleep, symbolise the anxiety and sleepless nights endured by those affected,” according to the award-winning artist.

Turks have faced numerous natural disasters, including earthquakes, landslides, and wildfires, yet they have remained steadfast in the face of adversity. Mir believes that his masterpiece incorporates these elements effectively.

“Through this installation, the work captures the resilience of a people who, despite overwhelming loss, have found the strength to rise again, even when basic necessities were beyond reach,” he said.

“It also talks about the fragility of life and illusions that we live with. We make plans, build our lives, and create complex lifestyles, yet it's all an illusion. Life in reality is this fragile on unstable grounds,” he added.

Even from a short distance, 'Life' gives the impression of vibrations visible to the naked eye due to the springs used in its construction.

This effect serves the artwork's purpose: representing people standing determined and tall despite instabilities, earthquakes, and other disasters, amid the illusions of life and the lack of assurance that haunts humans.

The structure wholly embodies the perseverance of a people. 

Mir said that when he was in Turkey, he had the opportunity to speak to some of the survivors of the 2022 earthquake, who shared their experiences of life after the disaster, helping the artist understand their months-long ordeal in recovering from the tragedy.

“I was lucky to have interacted with a few locals to get their thoughts on the aftermath of the 2022 earthquake. It took them months to get out of the fear, pain and anxiety,” Mir stated.

Mir’s resilient artwork remained in the limelight at the Kommagene Biennale 2024, showcasing his masterful artistry and out-of-this-world creativity

"The opening ceremony tour was fantastic. I received an overwhelming response from officials, artists, and public representatives. Although I had to leave after the opening ceremony, I was informed by the organisers that visitors were drawn to my work,” the NCA alumnus said, concluding his talk with Geo.tv.

The Kommogene Biennale 2024, which began on August 24, will be open to art enthusiasts to visit and view the displayed pieces until November 8, 2024.