Syed Iqbal is a self-taught painter who has been living and working in Canada since 2002. He is also a writer and has published a number of novels and several books of short stories. Iqbal has illustrated many children's books.

Iqbal loves to work on different themes simultaneously. The artist's 17th solo art exhibition will open at Cedar Ridge Gallery in Toronto, Canada. Starting from October 4, the exhibition will continue till October 15.

Earlier, he showcased his 12th solo show at the same gallery. Colour mixing, forms and compositions were the key features of the exhibit. Most of his works delineated pure abstract forms where layers of colours mingled with vague forms.

Darkness seems to be Iqbal's favourite subject. His use of darkness in paintings is quite distinct. Depicting light on a certain space makes the paintings more alluring. His canvas is a space where rich texture and thick colours join one another. His works feature a soothing blend of yellow, black, ash and azure.

“Memory of Laguna Beach” is a notable series by the artist. Iqbal had been at the Laguna Beach, USA for two years with famous artists and models of the world. The show will also display another series “Urban Trap” by the artist. Iqbal upheld the unplanned urbanisation and its ramifications in an abstract way. Experiment with colours especially Prussian Blue and Red along with compositional variations are two prominent features of the current exhibition. “Tears of Nature” is another series by the artist where he sheds light on the adverse effects due to global warming. “Mindscape”, one of his series works, deals with the various sensitive and complex aspects of human mind.  

In recent times, Iqbal has concentrated on a series titled “You, 1971”, delving into the subject of women and their untold sufferings during the Liberation War. Highlights are blurred, gloomy female forms.

The artist has very distinct styles and preferences on themes, like nature, nostalgia and his beloved; the themes emerge in his works symbolically and at times according to his paintings' characters.

The acrylic paintings carry his individual signs like smooth ground, imposing colours and sensual lines but some changes from his previous works are clearly noticeable.