A COLLECTION OF ART IKONS

Text: Marjorie Husain

Photographs: Courtesy Ejaz Gallery

An exhibition showing the work of nine of Pakistan’s greatest masters of art recently opened in Lahore at Ejaz Gallery before transferring to Artscene, Karachi. The art events collectively titled, Icons of Art from Pakistan, reaffirmed the strength, courage and genius of those dedicated artists of earlier generations.

On display were paintings, prints and mixed media works that have powerfully stood the test of time, with work rendered by Abdur Rahman Chughtai, Ustad Allahbux, Anwar Jalal Shemza, Askari Mian Irani, Gulgee, Colin David, Sadequain, Saeed Akhtar and Jamil Naqsh. Viewing the work one mused on the deep seated global and cultural developments that have taken place in recent times in response to a radically changing social and cultural environment. Art in Pakistan has flourished from every region due to the tenacious and creative artists’ who pioneered an art scene which today is recognized internationally, supported by patrons and galleries and growing global awareness. Sadly the art community still lacks museums with permanent collections of art for future generations to study, understand and enjoy. An interested party once questioned a leading art school in Karachi as to why the students were not informed of the lives and works of the pioneers of art in the country, and the reply was that the work of the tenacious pioneers was not accessible by way of permanent collections.