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Artist Iqbal Hussain, who was known best for his paintings capturing life in Lahore’s Heera Mandi, has passed away at the age of 75. His passing was confirmed by Lahore’s AlHamra Arts Council and the Pakistan National Council of the Arts.

Belonging to a family of courtesans, he grew up in the red light area, which was the subject of much of his work.

His paintings, often dubbed contentious and controversial in life, are being remembered by admirers as honest, profound and fearless in the wake of his passing.

This was illustrated by an incident, reported in Dawn, when his oil paintings depicting the women of the red light district were not allowed to be exhibited at the Alhamra Gallery. Hussain, nonetheless, decided to exhibit his work on the footpath. This event in itself became breaking news in Pakistan’s art world, later propelling him to international fame.

An alumnus of the National College of Arts (NCA) in Lahore, Hussain went on to teach at the prestigious school and inspire many young artists inside and outside the classroom.

Tributes began pouring in on Friday from artists, media personalities and organisations he had worked with. Journalist Raza Rumi posted on X, saying the artist “gave dignity to lives often pushed to the margins” and “painted Lahore as it truly is”.

Journalist Fifi Haroon joined in with an Instagram post saying Hussain’s trajectory was of such “depth and profundity” that it demanded to be embraced and shared. She shared her own experience admiring his work at the iconic Cooco’s Den restaurant the artist opened in Lahore’s Walled City.

Photographer Mobeen Ansari recalled having met Hussain twice, once to photograph him for a book and later to present him the finished work. Ansari said the artist was “usually a quiet individual, but his paintings spoke so loudly”.

“It is a huge loss for the art world,” he wrote in his tribute post. “He painted Lahore in all its glory and painted the ever changing seasons of its landmarks, and inspired many artists to get into NCA and study painting — and his boldness truly inspired many to find the courage to tell their stories and push the envelope. He was always deemed the most controversial artist — as he humanised taboo subjects — and through his paintings he told stories of sadness and less glamorous reality of Heera Mandi — the red light district in Lahore, where he grew up. He used his art to support his community.”

Sameera Raja, the founder and curator of Karachi’s Canvas Art Gallery, recalled studying under Hussain’s tutelage at NCA. “His honesty, courage and deep connection to his world left a lasting imprint, on his students, his viewers and on me personally,” she wrote.

Celebrity hairstylist Tariq Amin shared a picture of one of Hussain’s works, ‘Mother and Child’. The painting, Amin wrote, was a gift for his wife and newborn daughter from the artist.

“A pleasure to have met Iqbal Hussain sahib many years ago and falling in love with his unique art … This painting was a perfect present and we have cherished it immensely. Memories associated with him and his work which will live on forever…”

Cultural institutions posted condolences, including the Pakistan National Council of the Arts and the AlHamra Arts Council in Lahore.

Art galleries also paid tribute at the maestro’s passing, with Canvas Art Gallery calling him a “fiercely honest and deeply human voice in Pakistani art”. Art House in London said Hussain’s work was “grounded in truth — direct, unsentimental, and uncompromising”.

Islamabad’s Satrang Gallery highlighted his “profound impact on Pakistani art,” saying “his unique expression of the human experience will be deeply missed,” while the Vasl Artists Association called him a “legendary figure in the country’s art history”.

With his passing, Hussain leaves behind a chasm in Pakistan’s art scene, a voice for those whose voices are shunned has himself gone silent forever. The artist will forever be remembered for his brave expression.

Cover photo via Ejaz Art Gallery