Ghotki-based artist Seffy Soomro finally gets his paintings back from Karachi’s Frere Hall

Ghotki-based artist Seffy Soomro has successfully recovered his ‘lost’ paintings from Frere Hall after his social media campaign led the Sindh government to swing into action. In a heartfelt video shared on Facebook, Soomro announced his victory while holding up his recovered artwork.

“I am at Frere Hall, I was supposed to get my paintings today. You can see I am here, and I have successfully recovered my paintings,” he said, visibly emotional. Soomro expressed gratitude to those who amplified his voice, noting that it was their support that made this outcome possible.

He also revealed that he has requested a royalty fee from Frere Hall, citing the unauthorised use of his artwork. “I have also demanded a royalty fee since my paintings were used for events, dramas and other gatherings. I just want to thank everyone who amplified my voice, who raised this issue and made it possible for me to get these back.”

Soomro’s journey from losing his work to reclaiming it has sparked discussions on the protection of artists’ rights and the misuse of creative property in public spaces.

For the unversed, Soomro had sent his artwork for an exhibition at Frere Hall in 2017 but never received it back. He was told the paintings were lost, only to later discover them in 2024, during an episode of the hit TV serial Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum.

Outraged, Soomro took to social media to accuse Frere Hall of misappropriating his work. His video garnered widespread attention. Eventually, the Sindh culture minister ordered an inquiry into the matter.

The investigation concluded that there had been some “misunderstanding” between Soomro and the exhibition centre. Contrary to Soomro’s claims, the report stated that the artist had “not taken a serious interest” in reclaiming his paintings. However, his paintings were never returned or packed away. Instead, they remained at Frere Hall, “shifting from one corner to another due to exhibitions over the years.”

Soomro accused the authorities of conducting a biased investigation. Filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy was one of many people who expressed their concerns over the Sindh government’s handling of the case.

She stressed that the government should take more meaningful action to safeguard Sindh’s art and culture. “Why doesn’t the Sindh government establish an independent committee with true authority — one that can conduct impartial investigations?” Chinoy asked.

Calling attention to long-standing concerns surrounding the Karachi museum, she pointed towards “rare artefacts being sold and replaced with replicas.” Adding that such steps would demonstrate a serious commitment to preserving the province’s rich heritage, she stated that it would be a “rare and commendable” move to protect its cultural assets.

Soomro’s paintings were part of his thesis for the University of Sindh’s Fine Arts Department.