Daily Times

Islamabad: Pakistan is passing through turbulent times and as the old adage goes, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”. The right person at the right time and in the right place makes sure that challenges are being met with determination, commitment and farsightedness.

Talking about the right person, Syed Jamal Shah made sure that after a long hiatus of 14 years, Pakistan National Council of Arts launched the Ninth National Exhibition (PNCA) here on Tuesday, December 19. The two-month long exhibition is taking place after a series of regional exhibitions representing all provinces which were given relevant context according to the cultural heritage of the land. Artworks were displayed from Mehergarh to Quetta, from Harappa to Lahore via Katas, from Akra to Peshawar via Takht Bhai, from Mohenjo-Daro to Karachi via Makli and from Takht Bhai to Islamabad.

The exhibition is showcasing 556 paintings and 140 sculptures and installations by 384 artists from across Pakistan

The first National Exhibition was held in 1973 under the leadership of PNCA’s founding DG and the legendary Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. It was supposed to be a yearly event, but unfortunately, only seven exhibitions were held in 42 years.

The exhibition is showcasing 556 paintings and 140 sculptures and installations by 384 artists from across Pakistan.

In addition to the exhibition, ‘Situation 101’, a contemporary creative installation by Jamal Shah, remained center of attraction with 101 sculptures in dehumanised form and a 25 feet high cage. The installation is a reflection of the entire nation being fooled by the influential that every visitor can easily relate to.

“When I joined PNCA as its Director General, I was very clear in my mind that whatever it takes, I would make sure that the National Exhibition is held in the year when Pakistan will be celebrating its 70th birthday,” Syed Jamal Shah, Director General PNCA told Daily Times.

The two-month-long National Exhibition is dedicated to nine legendary artists of Pakistan including Mian Aijaz ul Hassan, Ahmed Khan, Iqbal Jaffri, Zulqurnain Haider, Saeed Akhter, Mansur Rahi, Colin David, Hajra Mansoor and Basheer Ahmed The two-month-long National Exhibition is dedicated to nine legendary artists of Pakistan including Mian Aijaz ul Hassan, Ahmed Khan, Iqbal Jaffri, Zulqurnain Haider, Saeed Akhter, Mansur Rahi, Colin David, Hajra Mansoor and Basheer Ahmed

“I believe that in the 70th year of Pakistan’s independence, the nation took a critical look at the increasing enthusiasm for heritage, traditions and evolving contemporary practices. Over the years the art scene in Pakistan has evolved within and beyond the traditional ways of practice of art-making and looking at art,” Mr. Shah added.

The two-month-long National Exhibition is dedicated to nine legendary artists of Pakistan including Mian Aijaz ul Hassan, Ahmed Khan, Iqbal Jaffri, Zulqurnain Haider, Saeed Akhter, Mansur Rahi, Colin David, Hajra Mansoor and Basheer Ahmed.

Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting shared good news with the audience saying that “the National Cultural Policy representing all geographical regions, languages and cultures will be announced within two weeks.” She agreed with Mr. Shah that radicalization can be countered by engaging youth in creative activities like fine arts, and such exhibitions can help introduce them to our iconic artists and their work.

She also announced that “Pakistan’s first film policy will be announced soon which will help in cinema’s revival through film financing and tax incentives to film makers.” She added that in the 1960’s Pakistan was the third largest film producing country in the world and her government is committed to reviving Pakistan film industry.

Director Visual Arts Division, Amna I. Pataudi said that the journey of the last 70 years has been interesting and eventful. But this period constitutes a short span of our culturally rich roots that go back 5000 years. Pakistan’s culture, art and society are heavily influenced by its diverse historical background, starting from the ancient Mohenj-o-daro to the more recent Mughal era. Along with the linear cultural richness garnered over time, we have a bouquet of diverse and vibrant ethnic groups like the Kashmiris, Sindhis, Baluch, Seraikis, Pukhtuns and Muhajirs. They have all contributed to our cultural heritage and art over the decades.

‘Situation 101’, a contemporary creative installation by Jamal Shah, remained center of attraction with 101 sculptures in dehumanised form and a 25 feet high cage. The installation is a reflection of the entire nation being fooled by the influential that every visitor can easily relate to

Jamal Shah said that the recurring theme of culture connects the work of artist from different regions as it becomes a point of intersection for people itself. The displays represented the land, life, people and the cultural diversity of Pakistan which culminated into a National Exhibition with works selected by competent committees from all regions.

Contemporary art from Pakistan has lately witnessed a few very significant international breakthroughs that has put Pakistani art in a respectable and sought-after slot internationally. The art institution in this regard has played an integral part in grooming new talent equipped with intimate knowledge and tools (both traditional and contemporary), producing works of high caliber alongside its established counterparts, continuously making the realm of art more exciting, Jamal Shah added.

The writer can be reached at zalmayk@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, December 28^th 2017.