Daily Times

The Lahore Arts Council (LAC) organised a launching ceremony of nine rare restored paintings of legends on Thursday at Alhamra Art Centre. The ceremony was inaugurated by famous painter, teacher, art critic and writer Mian Ijaz-ul-Hassan, along with Chairperson of BOG LAC, Moneeza Hashmi, Salima Hashmi, Executive Director of Lahore Arts Council Ather Ali Khan and Salima Hashmi.

The masters and giant artists whose paintings have been restored included Anna Molka Ahmed, Colin David, Moin Najmi, Ghulam Rasool, Mahmood Butt, Ahmed Shahbaz, Salima Hashmi and Mian Ijazul Hassan.

The restored paintings were about 50 to 60 years old and restored by three artists including LAC Arts & Culture Director Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi, Alhamra Arts Museum curator Hajra Mahmood and exhibition officer Babar Mustafa.

On the opening ceremony Mian Ijaz-ul-Hassan said that restoration of valuables historical paintings was a great achievement of the Alhamra Arts Council. He appreciated the Lahore Arts Council’s efforts for the promotion of Art and culture.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chairperson of BOG Lahore Arts Council, Moneeza Hashmi, said that promoting art and appreciation of art was their prime responsibility, the Alhamra Arts Museum was a place of art lovers, art students, visitors and everyone.

She further said, arts provide an opportunity not to only appreciate art but, also to open a creative dialogue between the viewer and the art piece of artistic creation. The Alhamra Art Museum is an ideal place for art lovers, she added.

Executive Director Lahore Arts Council Ather Ali Khan said, “Our artists have been working hard to restore these nine rare paintings into their original form.”

The Alhamra Art Museum serves as the best venue for new generation’s artists because Alhamra Art Museum is an asset for art admirers they can learn many things from this museum, he added.

In the event, many art lovers and art students were present who acknowledged the hard work of the restoration team.

People who participated at the launching ceremony, lauded the efforts of authorities concerned, and said that restoration process should be continued to save restored paintings and cultural heritage of the country.