The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Lahore has initiated work to open a pioneering public sculpture garden at provincial capital’s historic Nasser Bagh, a spokesperson announced on Sunday. The sculpture park, the spokesperson explained, will comprise an outdoor garden featuring sculptures and numerous permanently situated works crafted from durable materials within landscaped surroundings. Expected to be operational by early next month, the proposed facility will operate in conjunction with The Barracks, a new art gallery developed by the PHA and inaugurated by Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman at the iconic site in February. Initially, the department has commissioned renowned artists such as Imran Qureshi, Risham Hosain Syed, Saeed Akhtar, Talat Dabir, Shahid Sajjad, Rasheed Araeen, Rashid Rana, Tahir Mahmood, and Meherunnisa Asad for the project. The sculptures will be crafted from clay, grass, concrete and other eco-friendly material to preserve the sanctity of Nasser Bagh, the spokesperson said. According to the spokesperson, these artworks will be a permanent addition to The Barracks art gallery, serving as “a gift from the artists and friends of Lahore to the city.” “The concept of a sculpture garden, the pièce de résistance of the park, has been in development for many years. The Barracks now aims to expand artistic endeavors within the Nasser Bagh precinct,” he added. Situated in a spacious basement in the park, previously occupied by the Civil Defence Department, the art gallery underwent extensive renovation by the PHA prior to its opening, with the aim of offering a lively space for art enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. “It’s a bold, and perhaps even radical, new attraction for this part of the city and, located amidst the National College of Arts (NCA) and Punjab University College of Arts and Design (PUCAD), it stands as an ideal cultural destination,” remarked Fiza Shahid, an art director said.