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the-south-asian.com September 2000 |
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Page 1 of 3 ART GALLERIES IN PAKISTAN Niilofur Farrukh About the Author Niilofur Farrukh is an art critic and a regular contributor to Pakistan's leading news magazines and newspapers. She heads the Department of Communication Design at Indus Valley School of Art & Architecture in Karachi. An art activist, she is the founder member of ASNA - an organisation working actively to enhance awareness of art through dialogue, documentation and exhibitions. The author of 'Pioneering Perspectives' - Niilofur is the first Pakistani woman to write a book on art.
Karachi is where art sells' is the undisputed
opinion of artists and gallery directors alike. Of Pakistan's established
private galleries, only a handful are located outside Karachi. This Mecca of
art attracts artists from other cities, even abroad, to hold regular shows.
Larger galleries, on an average, hold a dozen or so exhibitions annually. Only
a few of these are group shows. Art that sells between shows is often from the
collection of the galleries and sometimes works of masters from private
collections appear on the market for the gallery to sell for a commission. The last decade has seen a growth in the art
market. Affluence and awareness have led to an increase in the number of
buyers. But economic and political vagaries tend to influence sale. Today
expatriates and young professionals setting up their first home have joined
the traditional collector. 'Integrity is most important for a gallery' says
Zohra Hussain . Housewife turned gallery owner of Chawkhandi Art, she started
with little knowledge of the field and by not being afraid to seek the opinion
of professionals and always maintaining a consistently high standard, today
her gallery is widely recognized as one of the country's most prestigious
showplaces. A successful gallery soon learns to cater to
varied taste, as well as provides additional services that can include
verification of authentic works by experts and extend financial support to its
artists during their lean periods. Artist Bashir Mirza saw the potential of
such an art market in Karachi and more than three decades ago launched the
city's first art gallery in 1965. Perhaps he was ahead of the time or too
outspoken and restless to cultivate buyers, but Bashir Mirza could not turn
his venture into a success. Almost half a decade later Ali Imam, made a
similar attempt and founded Indus Gallery, the country's longest running
gallery. A much-respected painter and scholar of art, Ali Imam not only
cultivated buyers for art but his gallery provided a meeting place for art
enthusiasts. The artist and art critic fought many a verbal battle at his
gallery, this interaction also gave birth to an intellectual understanding of
art and kept it from becoming a mere commodity. A firm believer in
egalitarianism and human rights, Ali Imam gave shows to artists who upheld
similar ideals despite political backlash. Today Indus Gallery is widely
recognized for it's pioneering role but it's vitality has declined due to its
owner's ill health. Dedicated to his cause, shows are still held and he
continues to introduce new talent and attracts senior national and
international painters. Since it opened a decade ago, Chawkhandi Art,
through sheer professionalism, has become a leading gallery. Its director
Zohra Hussain along with her efficient staff is personally involved with the
selection and display of each exhibition. Chawkandi Art represents big names
such as Zahoorul Akhlaque, Shahid Sajjad, Zarina Hashmi, Mehr Afroze,
Nahid Sheherezade etc. Its solo show of sculptor Shahid Sajjad and Zahoorul
Akhlaq’s last exhibition will be long remembered as high points in the
gallery's short history. Zohra Hussain is selective and prefers to give one-
person shows to established artists. In group shows she sometimes includes
younger artists. At her gallery the work of artists from Lahore and other
cities can also be viewed. " I was the first to break from tradition of a
gallery in a residential area and turned a ground floor shop into a display
space. In the early days I had to attract people by keeping the lights on to
show the display at its best for the passerby. I am very particular about the
standard of service we offer our clients, even if it is as basic as hanging a
show or custom-framing. I am present every day to meet artists and buyers,
this encourages clients to browse and chat before making up their mind." VM Gallery, tucked away in a part of the
Rangoonwala Community Center has earned itself a name as the friend of new
entrants in the field. Supported by the Rangoonwala Trust it is dedicated to
promoting new finds and struggling artists. Painter Riffat Alvi, who runs it,
has made it a friendly place where young artists can exhibit and attend talks.
In recent years the gallery has made special efforts to bring shows of foreign
artists. It has been said that to get the best of Jamil Naqsh, one should visit Momart Gallery. Run by the painter's cousin Shammi Ahmed, this gallery frequently exhibits the master's work. More than one-man shows, Momart prefers to hold a few thematic group shows annually. The gallery has a good selection of works by Najmi Sura, Mona Naqsh, Chitra and Amar and others. The Momart is connected to the Jamil Naqsh Museum located next door.Here the works of the master are on permanent display. Located in quiet corner of KDA is 'Kunj'.
"The reason for selecting this house was to use its upper floor to
accommodate visiting artists" informed Razia Hussain at the opening. This
decision has worked to her advantage and the Gallery has attracted artists
from Bangladesh, Nepal and Iran. Visiting artists from Lahore also exhibit
here frequently. However in the last few months it has not been so active. Majmua believes in bringing all the arts
together and many of its exhibitions are accompanied by dance or music
performances. Run by the dynamic Mehreen Elahi who not only hosts a programme
on art and culture for a local television channel but also publishes Art
Pakistan. Majmua would attract more artists if she were to become more
selective in the work it displays. Centally located this gallery is next to
the Quaid –I Azam Museum, the last residence of the founder of the nation on
the tree lined Fatima Jinnah Road.. Zenaini opened in early 1998 and is located on the first floor of a design collective run by four women entrepreneurs. It has held several successful solo exhibitions but needs to alert to the danger of over crowding work in its small space.1990 saw the birth of Canvas. Run by Samira Mirza, an NCA alumnus, since its inception she has concentrated on exhibiting the works of artists connected in some way or the other to her alma mater.
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