Ali Kazim's 'Alphabets' at Cristea Roberts Gallery, London: Watercolors, Etchings, and a Book

Ali Kazim, an artist from Lahore, showcases 'Alphabets' at the Cristea Roberts Gallery in London, running until 3 October 2026. This exhibition comprises five watercolors and nineteen monochrome etchings, with some works featured in a book accompanied by text from Hamad Nassar. Kazim's watercolor style, inspired by the early 20th-century Bengal School, imparts a sense of depth and texture. The piece 'Untitled (The Bird Hunter Series XIV)' (2026) pays homage to a 5,000-year-old hunting tradition in the Indus delta. The alphabet book diverges from standard Pakistani school texts, showcasing intricate images in English, Urdu, and transliteration. Among the pieces is 'Girgit' (Chameleon), which embodies tranquility, and 'Pyjama' (2025), an etching that delves into themes of civilization and colonialism.