30 contemporary artists display their work in first national exhibition

The Institute of Art and Design, University of Sargodha, organised on Saturday the first national exhibition and a day-long seminar titled ‘Contemporary Art in Pakistan’.

The event aimed at preserving and promoting contemporary art in Pakistan. The exhibition will continue till March 10.

Zarar Haider Babri, renowned artist and lecturer at the International Islamic University Islamabad, Khurshid Gohar Qalam from the National College of Arts (NCA), Abid Hussain Qureshi, distinguished art critic and writer, Imran Faiz, eminent modern sculptor from the NCA, faculty members and a number of students attended the event.

Mr Babri said that organising the event was indeed a commendable effort by the institute that can help art loving people in promoting contemporary art and artists in Pakistan and building soft image of the country.

Ahmad Faraz, Institute of Art and Design in charge, said he tried his best to facilitate the young artists and people who were not able to exhibit their art work anywhere else. “The contemporary art is a thriving business for them,” he said.

Around 30 contemporary artists from across the country displayed their work at the Art Gallery, located in the Jinnah Hall of the university.

Artists expressed their experience of the country’s diverse social and cultural landscape in varied and fascinating ways. They showed exuberance through more than 50 pieces of paintings, miniature and photography which seldom happens at exhibitions.

Originally published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2019