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Once again, this Italian artist pays ode to Pakistan's wildlife

Once again, this Italian artist pays ode to Pakistan's wildlife

The spool an art piece by wildlife artist Maurizio Boscheri is a present from the Italian government
Updated 13 Jan, 2017

A giant wooden spool has been causing quite a commotion on the Eduljee Dinshaw Road in Kharadar.

Visitors from all over the city drop by to stare at the spool – or wooden reel, which was put on display last week and has around 70 animals, fauna and flora from across the country on it.

The spool, an art piece by Italian wildlife artist Maurizio Boscheri, is a present from the Italian government to the citizens of Karachi to celebrate the rich biodiversity of Pakistan and a part of the Karachi Biennale Trust.

Maurizio Boscheri returns to paint a spool
Maurizio Boscheri returns to paint a spool

“The idea behind this was to put 70 animals, flowers, plants, insects – basically nature, to represent 70 years of Pakistan,” said Mr Boscheri’s translator Mario Liberali. “This is our present to the Pakistani people.”

Read more: Italy comes to Pakistan, creates a markhor mural at Jinnah Airport

On their third visit to the country, Mr Liberali and the artist said that they were enamoured by the city. “The city has been good to us and the people very kind,” said the artist, adding that he had been to the country twice before – once for an exhibition at the Mohatta Palace Museum.

Mr Boscheri, who works mostly with mixed mediums, oil paints, Swarovski crystals, laces, cloth and stone, said that he wanted to create an awareness about animals and nature in the country.

“When he was young, he was in love with nature, had a lot of pets and would often look after injured animals,” said Mr Liberali.

“It wasn’t till after a trip to Australia, Madagascar and India at the age of 40 that he decided to start painting,” he said. “He was so inspired he started right away. His first exhibition was titled ‘Nature and Dreams.”

The artist gets to work
The artist gets to work

Explaining how Mr Boscheri got involved in the project, Mr Liberali said that during their last trip to Pakistan, the World Wildlife Fund got in touch with him.

“Since he feels very strongly about nature it was something he wanted to pursue and here we are,” he added.

Discussing their itinerary, his translator said that they had held talks at Karachi University, Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture and many other places.

“Maurizio [Boscheri] doesn’t care if people buy his work, he loves it if people say they like his stuff or if it makes them feel closer to nature,” said Mr Liberali.

“His style has evolved so much over the years,” he said, adding that the artist likes to make his work look very dreamlike.

“Sometimes while looking at his works people feel like the animals are talking to them – he wants them to feel a connection with nature,” he added.

The wooden spool will have 70 animals and plants
The wooden spool will have 70 animals and plants

According to Italian Consul General Gianluca Rubagotti, he was approached by the Trust and WWF to nominate and invite an artist who would like to paint and be a part of this project.

“I immediately thought of Maurizio because he has already been to Pakistan twice before – this is his third visit in 12 months. He didn’t know anything about Pakistan and he fell in love with the country, people and culture after his first visit,” said Mr Rubagotti.

“He had a very successful exhibition at the Mohatta palace last August – he was the first foreign artist to have a solo exhibition there,” he added.

Maurizio is a wildlife artist, said the consul general, he embraces nature and this call for preservation and conservation of nature.

An ode to 70 years of Pakistan
An ode to 70 years of Pakistan

The idea behind this spool, he explained is that in 2017 Pakistan will turn 70 years old so this is a gift from the Italian people to the people of Karachi and Pakistan, a gift which should remind everybody of one treasure – one of the many treasures that Paksitan has to offer-- the rich biodiversity of the country.

“So to represent 70 years we decided to put 70 different species of birds, insects, flowers, plants, animals – each one of which can be found in Pakistan and has been validated by the WWF,” he said.

“All these animals can co-exist together on this small space and it’s a message to the Pakistani people to be more careful and take care of these animals and this natural treasure,” he added.

Comments

Ali Jan 12, 2017 07:14pm
Thank you Mr. Maurizio. We Pakistani's much appreciate your beautiful paintings for Pakistan.
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Thoroughthinker Jan 12, 2017 07:23pm
But, why on a large wooden reel? What is the significance of that reel in it?
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Jj Jan 12, 2017 08:02pm
Beautiful work!
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R Gupta Jan 12, 2017 09:51pm
There are no tigers in Pakistan
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brr Jan 12, 2017 09:54pm
I dont believe there is a TIGER alive in pakistan.
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Peace Jan 12, 2017 11:25pm
Tiger in Pakistan??
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Bhai Jan Jan 12, 2017 11:59pm
The wheel probably expresses continuation. Artists have their own ways to express their feeling bugs whether we understand or not. Thank you very much Seniour from Italy. Hope we all appreciate him vocally as well as on social media. That's what he desires.
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IMTIAZ ALI KHAN Jan 13, 2017 12:13am
Mr. Maurizio thank you for your paintings. Love from Pakistan my Italian friend.
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Naveed khan Jan 13, 2017 12:24am
Tigers? Pakistan has tigers? Where?
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SGN Jan 13, 2017 02:17am
There are no tigers in Pakistan......
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noor Khan Jan 13, 2017 05:27am
Thank you, Mr. Maurizio, for letting us into your artistic process. This was very satisfying to watch and read. Wonderful work.
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Shujaat Khan Jan 13, 2017 05:29am
Hope he includes Houbara Bustard if there's any left.
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mohsin raza khan Jan 13, 2017 08:24am
Where in Kharadar?
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saif Jan 13, 2017 09:04am
There are no tigers and lions in Pakistan except Zoo. Haboura bustards are dying as well with fast pace.
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hamde ALI BOGRA Jan 13, 2017 12:35pm
Where in Pakistan does one find tigers?
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Farooq Jan 13, 2017 03:35pm
Beautiful work. I feel that Western artists always find and express new ideas in and through their work. Painting on a wooden spool is novel and delightful and the work is itself remarkable and significant to the occasion. Thanks for this wonderful gift. We look forward to more work from this brilliant Italian artist.
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imran sarfraz Jan 14, 2017 04:34am
@Peace yes don't be ignorant
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