Artist Interview
Captivating, unique art of Dr. Mohsen Keiany
Tell us how you became an artist. I have experienced war and felt it in every single cell of my body. I survived but many of my friends did not. My wounds healed and the scars on my body soon was forgotten. I left army at the age of seventeen. The horrifying memories of war did not take me down. I managed my recovery through the art of paintings and drawings. Art has been the closest friend from my childhood time.
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The Bohemian Art Exhibition: A Triumph of Unconventional Creativity
An exhibition held at Gallery 21 in Islamabad showcased the works of Dr. Farukh Seir. A physician turned artist, Dr Farukh has established himself as a pioneer of vibrant and emotive artistic expression. His work is reflective and inspired by Bohemian culture and he incorporates themes of freedom and individuality in each of his works. His exhibition had bold visuals, and his current collection had an good mix of pieces ranging from abstract expressionism to nature inspired works.
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Beyond DNA Project Studio RM At O Art Space
Studio RM is an initiative founded in 1994 by RM Naeem, an acclaimed visual artist and educator in Pakistan. The studio was established with the aim of fostering the exchange of knowledge and experience, and encouraging positive change in society through art and art- related activities. Over the years, Studio RM has played a vital role in nurturing and mentoring emerging artists from Pakistan, offering a supportive space to grow, reflect, and engage in meaningful artistic discourse. In 2008, RM Studio began an international residency program to encourage cross-cultural dialogue through artist exchanges. In extension of educational pursuits and mentorship, Studio RM curates exhibitions that respond to contemporary concerns.
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Wasi Haider talks to Nigaah on his art and artistic influences
Nigaah recently talked to senior artist Wasi Haider on his art journey. Here are excerpts from the interview: Becoming an artist. I, Wasi Haider, was born in February 1958 and raised in Karachi. I grew up in a literary family. I was fond of becoming an artist as a way to express myself and make sense of the world around me. My education in civil drafting supported me in drawing and different perspectives. Biggest Artistic Influences. My artistic influences are diverse and far-reaching. I draw inspiration from the works of Pakistani artists like Sadequain, Shakir Ali, and Jamil Naqsh, who paved the way for contemporary modern art in Pakistan. I'm also influenced by international artists like Paul Klee and Pablo Picasso,
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Visual Noise
A solo show by Sajid Ali was showcased at Sanat Gallery. Sajid Ali is a Masters in Visual Arts from BNU Lahore. Prior to that he did his BFA with major in miniature painting from NCA Lahore. He is currently Assistant Professor at SABS University Jamshoro. His art practice is based on visual representation of the image.
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CONVERSATIONS
A group show at O Art Space in Lahore exhibited the works of Aakif Suri, Ali Azmat, Atif Khan, Hira Mansur, Mughees Riaz, Shiblee Muneer, and Yaseen Khan among several other artists. Aakif Suri’s practice is focused around drawing, painting, collage, and sculpture. He makes use of several different mediums such as wood, animal skin, metal, and a range of traditional and new media. It is through his training in miniature art that he is able to achieve such precision, attention to detail, and a refined approach—infusing diverse textures and techniques to create a high level of visual engagement with his viewers.
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A Journey of Artistic Excellence
A solo show by Sajid Ali was showcased at Sanat Gallery. Sajid Ali is a Masters in Visual Arts from BNU Lahore. Prior to that he did his BFA with major in miniature painting from NCA Lahore. He is currently Assistant Professor at SABS University Jamshoro. His art practice is based on visual representation of the image. Sajid shares, “in my recent series I explore the interplay of repetition and randomness through layered square forms arranged in a grid. I am fascinated by the way viewers interpret these vibrant, seemingly chaotic compositions, how the human
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Whispers Between Worlds
A three-person show at Sanat Gallery displayed the works of Saba Nousheen, Sarah Mir, and Shanzay Subzwari. Saba Nousheen merges traditional art techniques with digital influences such as the world of video games. Through her work, she highlights the essence of traditional art, reinterpreting imaginative game worlds through a nostalgic lens. She shares, “In an ever-evolving landscape of art and entertainment, the term ‘tradigital’ has emerged—a compelling concept that blends traditional art forms with digital mediums.
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Sculpted Elegance
An exhibition of beautiful jewellery pieces was held at Gallery 6 recently. Shakil Ismail, a graduate of Fine Arts from the Institute of Arts and Crafts had his designs on display. A man of many talents, the artist is renowned for his work in painting, sculpture as well as jewellery design.
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ZIKR
A group show at Alliance Francaise in Karachi exhibited the works of Abdul Jabbar, Arif Ansari, Khusro Subzwari, Shan Raza Amrohvi, and SM Naqvi. Abdul Jabbar is a talented and passionate artist whose work focuses on the essence of life, emotion, and contrast. His paintings revolve around complex realities of society and human emotions. He is well-known for his boat paintings. The artist wonderfully captures the sorrow of abandoned and broken-down boats waiting in vain for their sailors to return.
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Rang-e-Siyah
A two person show at Mainframe Gallery showcased the works of Muneeb Ali and Qasim Bugti. Muneeb Ali based in Lahore is a visual artist and has a BFA from Punjab University of Art and Design and later an MA from National College of Arts, Lahore. The artist shares, “my interest lies in the relationship between meaning and form within text, specifically the Arabic script. I try to separate meaning from its visuals by deforming and dismantling them. In this body of work, I focus on calligraphic strokes that intrigue me. I use them in ways where there are no more letters or words with any specific meaning. The ambiguousness of these forms with the possibility of having myriad meanings is something I have tried to capture”.
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Elements in Motion
A group show at Alliance Francaise in Karachi exhibited the works of Abdul Jabbar, Arif Ansari, Khusro Subzwari, Shan Raza Amrohvi, and SM Naqvi. Abdul Jabbar is a talented and passionate artist whose work focuses on the essence of life, emotion, and contrast. His paintings revolve around complex realities of society and human emotions. He is well-known for his boat paintings. The artist wonderfully captures the sorrow of abandoned and broken-down boats waiting in vain for their sailors to return.
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The Four Corners of Memory
A solo show displaying the works of Romila Kareem was recently held at Chawkandi Gallery in Karachi. A heartwarming show, full of emotion and nostalgia which allows the viewers to connect with artist and her art. The curator of the show, Nusrat Khawaja, shares “memory like water, has no intrinsic shape. Its fluid nature plays with elements of loss and gain as the colours of memory shapeshift with time. We continually reconstruct the past through the unpredictable agency of memory, subjecting it to re-examination, reinterpretation and reflection. The artist dives deep into the hidden depths of remembrance The Four Corners of Memory. A cherished photo album assembled by her mother becomes a keepsake of relationships within a family and most particularly of the relationship between mother and daughter.”
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Drawing with Dedication: The Pen-and-Ink World of Tanweer Farooqi
In fine arts, pen-and-ink is a labor-intensive medium that requires excessive efforts to acquire precision. In this medium, every line is final, leaving no room for correction; even a single mistake can ruin the entire piece. Mastery in it requires immense dedication, as it involves creating effects similar to those achieved with color and brush using only a single-sized pen nib and consistent ink flow.
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The Submission
A solo show by Shiblee Muneer at Art Scene Gallery was held recently in Karachi. Shiblee Muneer, a descendant of Mughal miniature painter’s family court of Patiala, Punjab, and one of Pakistan’s most well-respected and renowned contemporary painters, has yet again stunned art critics and art lovers with his recent exhibition.
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Colours of Wasaib: Farooq Aftab’s Tribute to Saraiki Culture and Heritage
In the heart of Islamabad’s bustling art scene, Gallery 21 once again showcased Pakistan’s rich artistic heritage with its remarkable exhibition, "Colours of Wasaib" (Series One) by the talented artist Farooq Aftab. Known for its dedication to curating and promoting exceptional talent, Gallery 21 provided a platform for art that transcended aesthetics and touched the soul of the nation. The exhibition featured Farooq Aftab’s mesmerizing watercolor renditions of the Wasaib region, highlighting the beauty of Saraiki culture—a vibrant yet often neglected part of Pakistan’s rich heritage.
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Natures Muse – A Floral Symphony
A solo show by Faiqa Uppal at Muse Art Gallery was recently held exhibiting the most recent works of the artist. Through bright and vivid colours and expressive brushstrokes, each piece is full of life, vibrancy and energy. Faiqa shares her vision for the exhibition, “this floral collection is not only a celebration of nature’s beauty, but also a call to preserve it. Each bloom I paint reflects the delicate balance of our planet, a reminder of the intricate connections that sustain life.
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Beyond Facade: Exploring Identity and Perception in Contemporary Pakistani Art
The Beyond Façade exhibition, held at the Islamabad Art Gallery, Faculty Institute of Art and Design, University of Sargodha, provided an immersive exploration of identity, perception, and the deeper realities hidden beneath surface appearances. This thought-provoking exhibition brought together a diverse group of artists who challenged conventional narratives, offering unique perspectives on personal experiences, societal constructs, and the evolving landscape of Pakistani contemporary art.
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