Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, is seldom in the news for anything except political unrest and rabid demonstrations and never in the light of cultural self-expression and creativity through arts and crafts. The existence of a dynamic group of artists, curators, art aficionados and patrons was a delightful surprise; this “city of lights” has more to offer than it is given credit for.
So why it is that art has finally arrived at its rightful place within this society? Rafaat M. Khan who manages the gallery of the Karachi Arts Council, explains: “There is a growing awareness of art and aesthetics. Both electronic and print media are covering art events extensively.”
Bushra Hussain, who is the assistant director at V.M. Art Gallery, agreed: “Newspapers and magazines are devoting time and space to cover artists and events. In the past, we would have one or two shows a month but these days more than one show opens on the same night.”
Apart from the daily newspapers and monthly magazines, there is NuktaArt a bi-annual publication coming out of Karachi, totally devoted to art. Salwat Ali, a Karachi based freelance writer, has just published a book “Journeys of the Spirit” under the sponsorship of the Foundation Museum of Modern Art (FOMMA) and the Pakistan National Council of the Arts. It is a treasure trove for anyone interested in art and artists and contains reviews of contemporary art, art publications and details of galleries and foundations supporting artistic activities in the country.
Marjorie Husain’s textbook for art students was translated into Urdu to reach a wider audience. Marjorie, who writes for the Gallery in the daily Dawn, has seen the development of art and artists since the 1960s and says “There are a lot more registered art schools in Karachi than ever before and an increased passion for art all around.”
Passion and artistic ingenuity is apparent in the artworks on display at the Unicorn Gallery. Seemah Niaz, the director/curator confirms: “Students graduating from these institutions are demanding and getting the asking price for their work. It is not just paintings, but people are buying sculpture and installation art.”
Can this success be attributed to the expansion of electronic and print media and the establishment of art schools, or are there other reasons? Shamin Alam, executive director of the Karachi Arts Council, has a story to tell. Karachi Arts Council is the only art NGO in Pakistan which depends on subsidies from the government. “For 25 years we were getting a grant of 10,000 rupees annually from the government, despite our constant pleas for more. In 2004, we wrote a letter to Pervez Musharraf and explained our plight. Assuming that no action would be taken, we were taken aback when the response came with a desire to learn more about our problems. Having ascertained all facts, the government increased our grant to five million rupees annually, and we were also given money to help build our auditorium.”
Government patronage in Pakistan does seem arbitrary, but can we really leave it to the whims of cultured people in power? Is help available from additional other sources too? ZVMG Rangoonwala Trust supports the V.M. Gallery and the director/curator Riffat Alvi is an artist of great caliber. “The ZVMG Rangoonwala Trust has been instrumental in helping the growth of artists,” she says.
Riffat is a pillar of encouragement to new artists. V.M. Gallery hosts the “Emerging Talent Show” annually and invites graduate students from all over the country to participate. While galleries are very crucial to the development of various kinds of art, there are other outlets for artists to grow and mature. VSAL is another group which sets up artist’s residencies globally and collaborates with international artists to hold workshops in Pakistan.
No matter where these artists are coming from within Pakistan, they find their market in Karachi. Laila Inayatullah, who is a professional art buyer and helps people buy artwork, says “There is a growing clientele of younger people who want to buy art, not only for decoration but for investment too.” It is a comforting thought that the artists no longer have to die before they can sell their artwork!
Riffat Alvi says, “Creativity is not a mystery; we experience it in ourselves whenever we act freely.”
True, creativity comes to people when they are open to exploration and communication and have a burning desire and the means to render that feeling. With all elements in place, the artists of Karachi can only look forward to, and perhaps in some way return, the “light” to the city.
