Daily Times

KARACHI: Abdul Rahim is Pakistani artist, who hails from the city of lights, Karachi. Although he is officially a self-taught artist, his swirls, dashes and bold use of color have gained him praise on the international level.

Abdul Raheem was born in 1969 in the city of lights Karachi. His foray into the art world began in his early age when people praised him for his magical and aesthetic style of drawing art.” My teachers, my family and fellows praised me a lot that inspired me and inclined me to be none but an artist”, shares Raheem, “I made the first drawing of Quid-i-Azam Muhammed Ali Jinnah and it was really awesome”, he rejoiced in happiness.

Though many artists from the lower-middle class owing to lack resources are compelled to quit the profession of art and join other fields as they do not get sufficient amount for the artwork.” I have also worked as office boy at a travel agency for survival”, Raheem shares, “art is my passion and money is my need hence I decided to continue both”, smile crept from his cheeks.

As A Raheem started from the very basics thus he has not only earned the excellence techniques of drawing and painting artist but he is also expert in Fine Art, Truck Art , Pencil colour, Water colour, wall painting art and architecture designer.

A Raheem remained steadfast and passionate as he moved forward bearing all hindrances and challenges coming in his way. He started learning on his own, concentrating on the traditional methods and techniques of art. “Many people used my energies for their interests as I was too young to understand the attitude of people, regretfully he said” I was betrayed many times but time and again I stood up keeping high hopes for better tomorrow but nothing has changed yet.

Life is bed of roses for some people while a bed of thorns for others at same time. Art is a blessing for the blessed (rich) people as it satisfies their needs and wishes; they get handsome amount of money since they have very good platform to sell their artwork. On the contrary the middle-class artist remains deprived of such all things.” Sometimes the rich ‘artists’ purchase paintings and other artworks from the poor artist and sell them at their posh areas at the higher costs”, he accused and regretted,” the genuine artists are ignored and are even not allowed to enter into such slash and burn type of gallery halls.

A Raheem said that an artist faces many challenges in his/her life, they face the issue of finance most of the time . “Especially on our traditional occasions I feel dire need of money, Raheem says “we also have children who possess hearts and wishes but meager income forces us to live on hand to mouth”. Recalling one of the memorable day, he said that on Before Bakra Eid he worked day and night on a project as could fulfill the needs of his children but he got the minimum amount.” The supervisor only paid me Rs.7, 000, he lamented,” It was a heart tearing moment for me”.

The artist believes that his wife is his strength and his best companion of all times. “She has always been supported me in my ups and downs”, he smiled.

A Raheem dreams to establish an art school where artist and art-lovers could get art education free of cost. He wishes to provide a better platform to those artists who possess exemplary skills of arts but have not better and worthy platform where they could display their artwork.” I will train artists and provide them chances to display their artworks at the best platform at national and international level”, he claims.

“I call every citizen of the world to come forward and join hands together to pour colors in this beautiful world and make it more elegant”.