Amidst all this the zeigiest has shaped the expression of Pakistani art, emancipating from the pits of oppression, regression, decadence and above all hope for a better future.

Pakistani art is rich with culture and expression. In Pakistan art exists in many forms, calligraphy, miniature art, painting, sculptor, and printmaking. All these art forms draw their inspirations from history and from the modernity of expression. The Pakistani artists seek to re-create text in a modern context, revive the art of miniature paintings, deal with the question of identity in reference to politics and culture and address the issue of gender through their work.

In the early post -1947 decades, the artists in Pakistan adopted Modernism as a metaphor for change and economic freedom. The society was emerging as a nation with an identity; an identity and a persona to develop. Today Pakistani art and artist cherishes metamorphic aesthetics, a sensibility that mushrooms over ideas, thoughts and wits. Budding over the conundrums of existence and capsizing the gargoyle of society, that spurts feverish anguish, anarchy and tyranny. Pakistani art/artist exposes naked truth; Truth that’s hidden in the universe to the truth with in, one reason why the Pakistani canvas is unbound.

The Art gallery lies straight down the corridor from the main entrance to the Lahore Museum. Past the wooden screen lies the Miniature Paintings Gallery, where rare exhibits are displayed on either side. Before you get absorbed in the details of the miniatures, take a look at the mural on the ceiling painted by Sadequain. The miniature paintings have been arranged in chronological order of development, beginning with illustrations from a 16th century Jaina Kalpa Sutra and some rare illustrations of Laur and Chanda romance. Persian, Mughal, Provincial and Bazaar Mughal paintings and works of minor ateliers of Rajput states in Rajasthan are also part of the collection. The gallery also holds exhibitions regularly.

Sim-Sim Art Gallery- Lahore

A standing little emblem of art near the famous Orega center in Lahore, Sim Sim art gallery is not just for exhibitions but basically an art on sale outlet. The interior is well defined and carries an ambiance of creativity and modernity. Displaying the works of the contemporary artists in Pakistan, Sim-Sim art gallery is helping promote the talented artists of Pakistan who believe in self expression and catharsis.

Shakir Ali Musesum & Art Gallery- Lahore

A true piece of art… Dwelling on the residence plot of the pioneer of modern art in Pakistan, Shakir Ali, the museum is a wonderful and awesome architectural phenomenon of the artist’s creativity. This great artist was born in India, received his basic education in India, and studied arts from the JJ school of arts Bombay. Then his trip to England for further studies brought a major turn in his life, where he learns classical paintings and textile designing, two contradictory fields of art. Shakir Ali museum was the artist’s personal lodging, which took ten years for construction but unfortunately ten months after the completion of the house the artist died. The place has an amazing architectural beauty and wonderfully designed rooms, the ambiance here reminds you of a never-ending passion for creativity. It is still warm with the colors that stroked the canvas with life, and things still speaking of the life of the great artist of Pakistan.

Crow eaters Gallery- Lahore

Named after the entropy of Sub-Continental harmony, a semi autobiographical novel by Bapsi Sidhwa, Crow Eaters is a pulsating fascination of aesthetics and modernity. The Gallery is located at the lower end of The Mall, the vibrant region of Lahore opposite Anarkali Bazaar lending a touch of the cultural and social dithyrambs. Exhibiting works, of the creative mentors of Art as well as young artisan’s hankerings, it provides communion between the artistic expressions and the people. The gallery is rather small, and a narrow staircase leads to the top floor the altar of crafts-man-ship. The work on display engulfs the genuine traditional and modern concepts of Art in Pakistan, irrefutably awesome in its displays of varying mediums of art.

93-Tipo Block, New Garden Town

Lahore, Pakistan

Co-opera Book Shop & Art Gallery- Lahore

At the heart of Lahore, on The Mall (Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam), near the well known Regal Stop, The Co-opera Book Shop & Art Gallery harbors a trove of art in the basement. Encouraging new talents and established artists, the Gallery exhibits works by artists from all over Pakistan, irrespective of the school, whether it be modern abstract and impressionism, or classic realism and miniatures. There’s room for all forms and mediums of art. Almost all the works on display are for sale, except for some permanent exhibits of the Gallery. The gallery is divided artistically into three sections, the entrance being dedicated to books and literature. A long gallery with lively watercolor paintings and calligraphy precedes the main display area. In the main room, exhibits include oil paintings, woodcarvings, prints, and the awesome display of the art of sculpture and carving. One room is solely dedicated to miniature art, defining various eras of Mughal art. Supporting all the literary and artistic activities in Pakistan, the gallery usually holds exhibitions twice a month.

Gallerie Sadequain- Karachi

Gallerie Sadequain Karachi This gallery is located within the historic building of Frere Hall, on Fatima Jinnah Road, in the Sadar area of Karachi. The art gallery is on the first floor of the Frere Hall. The ceiling of the art gallery was painted by Sadequain, one of the most well-known painters of Pakistan.

The enormous mural is an impressive work of art in Sadequain style. The art gallery regularly puts up amateur exhibitions in order to promote arts in the city. Frere Hall, Fatima Jinnah Road

Art Gallery- Karachi

Presenting art, in the Dhoraji Colony’s Rangoonwala Community Center, is the V.M. Art Gallery. Established in 1987, it is a project of ZVM Rangoonwala Trust, a renowned business house that has made laudable effort in the field of art and culture. The gallery was established with the objective of promoting advancement in art education and encouraging the fine arts. It serves as an outlet for senior and amateur artists; an important display venue for the young and for the established. The art gallery has its own permanent collection, titled ‘Rangoonwala Art Collection”. Apart from arranging exhibitions the art house also arranges slide presentations.

Art Collectors Gallery- Karachi

This gallery is located on Khyaban-e-Roomi, in Old Clifton, close to the Chawkandi Art gallery and the famed Zamzama boulevard of Karachi. The gallery is managed by Ali Imam and periodically exhibits works of established and young artists of Pakistan.

D-68, Block 7, Khyaban-e-Roomi, Clifton

Karachi, Pakistan

The Indus Gallery- Karachi

The Indus Gallery is one of the oldest and the longest running art gallery in Karachi. It was established by Ali Imam, one of the most well known painters of Pakistan. The gallery takes its name from the river system that runs through Pakistan. Along its banks flourished the world’s oldest advanced civic culture 8000 years ago known as the Indus Valley Civilization. Carrying the tradition forth, the Indus Art Gallery promotes the arts and crafts that have flourished here, over the centuries. It has played a pivotal role in popularizing art; the viewing and purchasing of works in Pakistan. For an unknown artist, an exhibition at the Indus Gallery means instant recognition. Established visiting artists from other parts of the world have also chosen this venue to display their work.

50-A/1 Street 1, Bath Island

The National Art Gallery- Islamabad

The entrance to the Art Gallery is at the rear of the house. The Gallery has an entrance hall and two main halls on the ground floor with two more exhibition halls on the upper floor. A concealed stairway separates the two halls on the ground floor; one of these halls has Sadequains artwork on display, while the others can be hired for organizing art exhibitions. In case you are keen on specifically seeing Sadequain’s work, it would be advisable to check with the Gallery in-charge and confirm.

Local people learnt traditional Pakistani arts and crafts techniques. Photo courtesy Touchstones

A Rochdale-based artist has been teaching local people the traditional arts and craft techniques of Pakistan to create a new exhibition.

Shaista Nazir, a trained textile artist, visited Pakistan to research the techniques used there to create a wide range of artworks and handicrafts, and also brought back many professional examples. After organising a successful series of workshops since March 2005 the results are being shown alongside the original items at the Threads of Experience exhibition at Touchstones arts and heritage centre in Rochdale.

Techniques learnt inlcuded beadwork, embroidery, and glass work. Photo courtesy Touchstones

The project has been really successful on several fronts,” explained Shaista. “It has introduced the local community to the gallery culture and also given them a chance to take a look at Pakistani rural arts and crafts and have a go.”

Participants turned their hands to techniques like Chabba basket making, mirror work, embroidery and bead jewellery making using traditional tools.

Displays of professtional work from Pakistan are also on display. Photo courtesy Touchstones

The people who took part felt they gained not only knowledge and skills but also found the regular workshops a chance to catch up with friends, relax and enjoy a few hours away from their busy home lives,” added Shaista.

Further workshops are running at Touchstones on Thursday afternoons to complement the exhibition ]]> http://www.heritage.com.pk/art/classical-arts/traditional-crafts/feed/ 0 http://www.heritage.com.pk/art/classical-arts/mahboob-ali%e2%80%99s-art/ http://www.heritage.com.pk/art/classical-arts/mahboob-ali%e2%80%99s-art/#comments Sun, 17 May 2009 02:41:15 +0000 admin http://www.heritage.com.pk/?page_id=290 Mahboob Ali, is perhaps the only artist who has devoted his entire career to woodcut – an ancient technique of printmaking.A native Lahore-ite, and a graduate of the National College of Arts, he has not gained immense recognition at home and abroad. In his own words, “this medium is very difficult, laborious and requires patience.” However, Mahboob Ali has given new dimensions to his craft by increasing the number of colours used in printmaking to over 50 now. He carves and paints without the use of machines.

His labour of love has popularised this medium in Pakistan now. But his real forte, in my opinion is recording the rich heritage of Lahore’s walled city, otherwise a dying space of cultural history. Old Lahore lives within his work and interacts with modernity creating a dreamy ambience.

One of Mahboob’s art piece is on the Government College. A renowned institution that produced great men of letters. I had a chance there to study there albeit briefly. Its Gothic and Indian lines are a curious blend. And one of the woodcut images sent by Mahboob Ali captures a lovely view.

Mahboob says:

“I have made the culture heritage of Lahore, as exemplified in its gates and streets, my theme. An attempt has been made to capture the dramatic effects of changing light which reflect both hope and despair at different times.”

Perhaps he best describes the impact of the Lahore moods:

“The architecture, street scenes and the dramatic effect of changing light are constant source of inspiration for me? maintaining dramatic effects of light and style associated with my previous work.”

Of late he has started dabbling in spiritual themes – mostly calligraphy.

Old Lahore is a neglected tale of destruction of history and architecture. Unfettered “development” is changing its character and there are few who protest about it. Unlike several historical cities that one has visited, this particular part of Lahore – centuries old and mythical in its layout and design will soon be gone. Or maybe not? Mahboob also uses pastels to create some beautiful imaged. Here are a few that I loved. First the Kim’s gun – The origins of Kim are interesting. A work of fiction by the nineteenth century English writer Rudyard Kipling, the novel Kim is set against the backdrop of the Great Game, the political conflict between Russia and Britain in Central Asia during much of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.Rudyard Kipling’s father John Lockwood Kipling was the curator of the Lahore Museum; and the ‘Kim’s gun Zamzamma’ in front of the Lahore Museum is called the same as Kim’s character sits on top of this gun in the novel when talking to another odd character – the Tibetan Lama in the novel. A strange mix of fact and fiction, indeed.

And finally this sad representation of Chauburji – a Mughal monument built by Princess Zebunnissa – another amazing tragic character from Mughal History. The decline is evident but the sky sings nevertheless.