Mashkoor Raza
Mashkoor Raza A graduate and a gold medalist from Karachi School of Art in 1972, During the last 20 years or so, he has figured prominently in the art world of Pakistan not only because he is one of the most prolific impressionist and abstract artist in Pakistan. From the beginning, his work has been, more roughly brushed in and richly coloured. Even in till 1980, his style had not fully matured but was working towards it. In the work which he exhibited in a solo exhibition in June 1980, his paintings showed what looked like piles of rough round stones, closely bunched together, with some bigger slabs or blocks, above and below them, and empty spaces in the surrounding picture area. By 1991, he was freely turning out paintings of horses in all conceivable positions, running, rearing, prancing and so on. While he has also experimented with calligraphy, he is primarily known for his excellence in impressionist and abstract art. His style has found maturity over a period of time. His art enjoys rare distinction in the world of art for the rough layers and surfaces eminent in his works. He is commonly known as the Master of Distorted Art in the local art circles.
A. Q. Arif
A.Q. Arif is a distinguished Pakistani artist whose breathtaking paintings effortlessly blend history, architecture, and nature. Known for his serene and dreamlike landscapes, Arif’s work invites viewers to explore a world where reality and fantasy coexist in perfect harmony. His artistic focus revolves around the grandeur of Mughal architecture, rural landscapes, and the beauty of historical structures, all captured through earthy tones and the shades of the night sky. These elements convey his deep connection to nature and the soulful essence of his homeland. Arif’s artistic journey began at a young age, and after completing his fine arts degree from the Karachi School of Art in 1996, he quickly established himself in the art world. His works have been showcased in numerous solo and group exhibitions, both in Pakistan and abroad, gaining international acclaim. Arif’s distinctive style, characterized by the use of minimal colors and tones, has made his paintings highly sought after by collectors. With accolades such as the Presidential Award for Pride of Performance and the International Best Artist Award, his art continues to captivate audiences worldwide. For those looking to explore AQ Arif’s incredible body of work, his paintings are available at Clifton Art Gallery, Karachi. The gallery proudly showcases his masterpieces, and visitors can inquire about AQ Arif paintings for sale, with detailed price lists available. Whether you’re searching for AQ Arif paintings in Pakistan or internationally, his works remain a timeless investment for art enthusiasts, and Clifton Art Gallery is the perfect place to acquire a piece of this extraordinary artist’s legacy.
Abdul Rehman
Abdul Rehman (AB), born 1995, is a visual artist and educator based in Lahore, Pakistan. After a successful training of traditional techniques from the Naqsh School of Arts, Rehman pursued his BFA (Visual Arts) from Beaconhouse National University in 2020. He was awarded a fully scholarship and secured a distinction, uplifting his academic credibility and professional career. The artist’s notable achievements encompass showcasing at esteemed exhibitions and having work featured in significant publications such as the International Watercolours Society Biennale in 2017 and 2018. Notably, participation in the Young Artists’ Association of Punjab from 2015 to 2019 underlines his dedication. His innovative QR code- themed artworks were showcased in Art Arcane 2019 and are now part of the permanent collection at ‘Ambiance Boutique Art Hotels. He exhibited at Art Space Lahore 2021, ‘O Art Space with the theme ‘DAR-AAMAD” in Lahore 2022, and the Pakistan Art Forum’s event titled “The New Past”. Additionally, he was featured at ‘VM Art Gallery’ under the theme Welcome to the Here- After in 2022, commemorating Pakistan’s 76th anniversary with ‘Identity-ll at liaz Art Gallery Lahore. His involvement in Beaconhouse National University’s ‘Co- exist’ initiative highlighted his commitment to nurturing student creativity. Collaborating with 0 Art Space Gallery Lahore, he raised funds for flood survivors through ‘Art for Humanity’, and he also curated a notable NFT show with ‘The Upside Space’. Further, he organized a solo exhibition titled ‘Back to the Future’ in Pakistan Art Forum Lahore in 2023 and contributed to ‘Mankind’, a recent show at The Canvas Gallery, Karachi, 2023. His latest show includes a 4-day festival titled Metaverse Bodies’ at BNU. His recent work was displayed at Artescape Gallery, at the exhibition titled ‘Lolita’ and ‘School of Tomorrow’ at PNCA where his futuristic representations were displayed titled, ‘What The Duck & Mickey’s Manic Mania. Recently, AB displayed his work at (Design Summit DS-1) based on Lahore Fort’s futuristic sentinels. AB show also displayed at Pakistan Art Form named ‘Pakistan 3.0’, an amalgamation of past and future perspectives in Pakistan. He articipated in a group show at Dastaan-Goi titled ‘A personal portal’.He also display work at ‘Haryali - An art exhibition’ focusing on Denamark and Pakistan’s relation with Denmark. He recently did a group show at Canvas art gallery at karachi with the title of ‘4 voices’. He is also display work in a collateral exhibition with the NCA Trienniale at Muse Art Gallery. AB’s recently Exhibited a Solo Show at ‘Pakistan Art Forum’ under the Title of ‘Augmented A-Listed Legends Rebooted’. He currently holds a senior lecturer position at Beaconhouse National University, Lahore. “Bridging the gap between the past and the future, my practice depicts the merging of technological advancements (AR and VR) and still art. I have been successful in creating an artistic dimension where my paintings through the use of Augmented Reality, portray my ideas in action, brought to life, right in front of the human eye. Keeping historical hallmarks and figures as inspirations, my pivotal focus lies on multiculturalism, religion, and ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians and the Greek. My art has included famous statues combined with unique futuristic perspectives depicted through paintings embedded with Augmented and Virtual Reality. Another area of my focus includes cartoon characters and games. The main purpose of my paintings is to invoke an imaginative escape for my audience, primarily the recognition and feeling of the unknown. Merging paintings with AR & VR has enabled me to create and entirety of new and enticing concepts brought to life through rapidly advancing technology.”
Abdullah Qureshi
Abdullah Qureshi (b. 1987, Lahore) is a multidisciplinary artist, curator, and educator. Rooted in traditions of abstraction, he incorporates gestural poetic, and hybrid methodologies to address autobiography, frauma, and sexuality through pointing, filmmaking, and immersive events. Drawing from childhood memories, everyday surroundings, and intimate encounters, interior objects, abstract landscapes, and faceless portraits are recurring themes in his paintings. In moving image and durational projects, Qureshi situates artistic concerns from the personal into more expansive conversations on critical histories, visual culture, and social justice. His flims fake a camp performance-based approach to portray scenes, symbols. and non-linear narratives that extend his visual language, questions on identity, and queer genealogies outside the Western canon, Qureshi's work has been exhibited internationally, including at the National Gallery of Art, Islamabad, Alhamra Art Gallery, Lahore, Rossi & Rossi, London, Berlinische Galerie, Berlin, Twelve Gates Arts, Philadelphia, and SOMArts Cultural Center, San Francisco, He has held numerous positions of cultural and educational institutions, including the British Council Pakistan and the National College of Arts, Lahore. Qureshi has conducted lectures, paper readings, and artist talks around the world, including at the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU), Progue, Ateneum Art Museum, Helsinki, PRAKSIS, Oslo, Residency Unlimited, New York, University of California, Irvine, Valand Academy, Gothenburg, and Fábrica de Arte Cubano, Havana, In 2017, Qureshi received the Art and International Cooperation fellowship at Zurich University of the Arts and, in 2018, a research fellowship at the Center for Arts, Design, and Social Research, Boston. Qureshi is a doctoral candidate at Aalto University in Finland, and will defend his thesis in December 2025. He is currently based in Tichtiake/Montreal, Canada.
Abrar Ahmed
Abrar Ahmed Viewing the art of Abrar, one shares the enormous enjoyment the artist obviously relishes in the changing moods of colours. A self taught artist in the tradition of Sadequain and Gulgee, Abrar freely delves into the romance of classical miniature painting, and fuses contemporary styles with stunning results. One discovers ethnic patterns, diverse textures and explosions of colours that are breath taking. The artist's subject, a bejeweled and gracefully draped woman, is often the centre of composition that includes a musical instrument or birds for company. Perhaps these cameos refer to the romantic period of the Emperor Jehangir when times were peaceful and lovers- together and apart- appeared to be a favoured subject. Birds- the messengers of Mughal art- are familiars and obviously important to the sinuous forms that dominate the brilliant colouration and powerful textural interest of their settings. One painting in particular that includes a musical instrument has a rhythmic pattern that dances across the surface of the work. Here the linear detail that is important to the artist is much in evidence. In the centre of the canvas the subject is seated on a wall composed of small dark tiles, the pattern intervenes with an exquisite blue vase and bright green leaves. Abrar's work may be interpreted on historical or philosophical levels yet it is also the work of an imaginative min d and a deeply feeling creative individual. The artist related that his work is inspired by Urdu ghazals that are described as a poetic expression of the pain of separation from a loved one; certainly in Abrar's work it appears that every painting is a poem.