ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Two-month long ninth National Exhibition would be held at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) National Art Gallery in Islamabad from December 19.
Prior to the big event, PNCA organized a series of regional exhibitions representing all provinces which were given relevant context according to the cultural heritage of the land.
The reoccurring theme of culture connects the work of artists from different regions, as it becomes a point of intersection for people itself.
An official of PNCA told the state-run news agency that the exhibitions represented the land, life, people and the cultural diversity of Pakistan which culminated into National Exhibition as the work for National Exhibition was selected by competent committees from all regional exhibitions.
The exhibition includes works of almost 500 artists from all over Pakistan, in the first National Exhibition being held in the new building. Artists have used broad spectrum of formats and techniques including painting, sculpture, calligraphy, photography, miniature installations and videos.
The contemporary art from Pakistan have lately witnessed a few very significant international breakthroughs that has put Pakistani art in a respectable and sought-after slot internationally. The art institutions in this regard have played an integral part in grooming new talent, equipped with intimate knowledge and tools (both traditional and contemporary) who are producing works of high caliber alongside their established counterparts and continuously making the realm of art more exciting.
To sum it up, the exhibition display highly diversified range of experimentation both in two-dimensional work, and other works including sculpture, installations and videos. It is hoped that the work will generate dialogue, discussion and creative discourse as the purpose of this exhibition is to stimulate the artist’s mind, open new horizons and promote arts and culture through this national platform.
This year, paying tribute to Iqbal Jafri, Mian Aijazul Huassan, Colin David, Saeed Akhtar, Ahmed Khan, Zulqurnain Haider, Mansur Rahi, Basheer Ahmed and Hajra Mansoor is going to be the highlight of the National Exhibition. These artists are the Icons of Pakistani art and have contributed their best to the promotion of art in Pakistan.
Appreciation also extends to the selection committees and to colleagues from different regions who have contributed both directly and indirectly for making the event possible.
The exhibition will continue till February 2018.
