Pakistani art
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Pakistani art (Urdu: پاکستانی فن) has a long tradition and history. It consists of a variety of art forms, including painting, sculpture, calligraphy, pottery, and textile arts such as woven silk. It shares features with Indian subcontinental art.[1]
History
[edit]Painting
[edit]
After independence in 1947, there were only two major art schools in Pakistan - the Mayo School of Art and the Department of Fine Arts at the Punjab University.[2] Early pioneers of Pakistani art include Abdur Rahman Chughtai who painted with Mughal and Islamic styles,[2] and Ahmed Parvez who was among the early modernists of Pakistan.[3]
A prominent recent figure in Pakistani visual arts was the Karachi-based watercolourist Qudsia Azmat Nisar, who passed away in 2021. Over a career spanning nearly five decades, she educated and mentored thousands of students and emerging artists across the country.[4]
Calligraphy
[edit]In the 1960s and 1970s, calligraphic styles emerged in Pakistan, with notable artists being Iqbal Geoffrey and Sadequain.[2] The Karachi School of Art, the first art institution in Karachi, was founded in 1964 by Rabia Zuberi.[5]
In 2017, in an effort to promote and preserve the art of calligraphy, the National Language Promotion Department (NLPD), under the patronage of the National History and Literary Heritage (NH&LH) Division, has established the first dedicated Calligraphy Wing within its premises. Additionally, the NH&LH Division had compiled a directory of 320 Pakistani calligraphers, documenting their profiles and contributions.[6]
Graffiti
[edit]In the 21st century, graffiti started becoming popular in Pakistan, with the emergence of artists such as Sanki King,[7][8] and Asim Butt. The latter also spearheaded Stuckism in Pakistan.[9]
Art museums and galleries
[edit]
Major art galleries in Pakistan include the National Art Gallery in Islamabad.[10] The Lahore Museum is known for its extensive collection of Buddhist art from the ancient Indo-Greek and Gandhara kingdoms, as well as from the Mughal, Sikh, and British empires.
Famous artists
[edit]Here is a list of some of Pakistan's famous artists:
- Abdur Rahman Chughtai
- Sadequain
- Ahmed Parvez
- Ismail Gulgee
- Zahoor ul Akhlaq
- Jamil Naqsh
- Saira Wasim
- Shahzia Sikander
- Imran Qureshi
- Rashid Rana
- Hamra Abbas
- Warda Shabir
- Salima Hashmi
- Shakir Ali
See also
[edit]- List of Pakistani artists
- Pakistani Painters
- Art Museums & Galleries
- Truck art in South Asia
- Pakistani comics
- Indian art
- Asian art
References
[edit]- ^ Wille, Simone (2017-09-19). Modern Art in Pakistan: History, Tradition, Place. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-34136-9.
- ^ a b c Dadi, Iftikhar (2017-09-14). "A brief history of Pakistani art and the people who shaped it". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
- ^ Ali, Salwat (2013-09-15). "Homage: Remembering the maestro". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
- ^ "Qudsia Azmat Nisar — Pakistan's foremost watercolour painter and an educator to thousands of artists". Dawn Images. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ Hashmi, Salima (2002). Unveiling the Visible: Lives and Works of Women Artists of Pakistan. ActionAid Pakistan. ISBN 978-969-35-1361-5.
- ^ "Art: NLPD inaugurates first-ever Calligraphy Wing". The Express Tribune. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ Asif, Ramsha (2021-04-08). "Karachi walls deserve better: Graffiti artists chime in". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
- ^ Chagani, Anum Rehman (2019-06-26). "Meet the graffiti artist taking Karachi by storm". Images. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
- ^ "Asim Butt — the: 'Rebel Angel' comes back to life through his work". The Express Tribune. 2014-04-05. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
- ^ "PNCA lacks funds to maintain art gallery". The Express Tribune. 2017-09-14. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
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