Artists Bring Eastern Colour to Keighley

Zareena Bano

Visitors to Keighley's Central Hall will have a rare opportunity to explore many different facets of south Asian art.

The Sab Rang (All Colours) exhibition examines the subcontinent's rich cultural heritage, from calligraphy to contemporary wall art. The works on display will look at the traditional crafts and skills of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh - from the miniature paintings of the Muslim Mogul emperors to the complex patterns of mehndi, where decorations are applied to the skin.

Humaira Minhas

'Central Hall prides itself on being an easily accessible resource for all of the town's diverse communities,' says development manager Matt Blackmore. 'For example, we host All Keighley Communities Together, which helps people of all backgrounds to meet, discuss issues and make their voices heard. We are also home to Arakan Creative, the first theatre company in the north of England to specialise in stories from the Islamic world.

'That's why it's so important to us that our series of free exhibitions reflects the heritage of all our diverse communities. Yet, despite the large population of British Asian residents, there is currently nowhere else to view art from this cultural background.'

Sab Rang showcases the work of Akari Maharani, Zareena Bano and Humaira Minhas, who all share a love of rich colour. They each produce works singing with rich metals, bright opaque pigments and delicate shades but with recognisable and contrasting styles. The exhibition has been hosted by Artists in Business, which also provides support through hand-made fairs, workshops and seminars, in association with Bradford-based south Asian arts organisation Kala Sangam.

Akari Maharani

Sab Rang will be showing at Cafe Central, Central Hall, Alice Street, Keighley from Monday 11 June to Friday 13 July. Admission is free and the exhibition is open from Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4pm and Saturday 9am - 2pm.