Pakistani art

  1. Home
  2. Wiki

Part of a series on the
Culture of Pakistan
History
People
Languages
Traditions
folklore
Cuisine
Eastern
Western
Northern
Overseas and fusion
Festivals
Religion
Art
Literature
Music and performing arts
Media
Sport
Monuments
Symbols

Pakistani art (Urdu: پاکستانی فن) has a long tradition and history. It consists of a variety of art forms, including painting, sculpture, calligraphy, pottery, and textile arts such as woven silk. In pre-Independence periods historians generally take it together with the wider Indian art of the Indian subcontinent, and it also shares traditions with the wider styles of Islamic art, especially Persian art.[1]

History

[edit]

Painting

[edit]

After independence in 1947, there were only two major art schools in Pakistan - the Mayo School of Art and the Department of Fine Arts at the Punjab University.[2] Early pioneers of Pakistani art include Abdur Rahman Chughtai who painted with Mughal and Islamic styles,[2] and Ahmed Parvez who was among the early modernists of Pakistan.[3]

A prominent figure in Pakistani visual arts was the Karachi-based watercolourist Qudsia Azmat Nisar, who died in 2021. Over a career spanning nearly five decades, she educated and mentored thousands of students and emerging artists across the country.[4]

Calligraphy

[edit]

In the 1960s and 1970s, calligraphic styles emerged in Pakistan, with notable artists being Iqbal Geoffrey and Sadequain.[2] The Karachi School of Art, the first art institution in Karachi, was founded in 1964 by Rabia Zuberi.[5]

In 2017, in an effort to promote and preserve the art of calligraphy, the National Language Promotion Department (NLPD), under the patronage of the National History and Literary Heritage (NH&LH) Division, has established the first dedicated Calligraphy Wing within its premises. Additionally, the NH&LH Division had compiled a directory of 320 Pakistani calligraphers, documenting their profiles and contributions.[6]

Graffiti

[edit]

In the 21st century, graffiti started becoming popular in Pakistan, with the emergence of artists such as Sanki King,[7][8] and Asim Butt. The latter also spearheaded Stuckism in Pakistan.[9]

Art museums and galleries

[edit]
Lahore Museum, Lahore
See also: List of museums in Pakistan

Major art galleries in Pakistan include the National Art Gallery in Islamabad.[10] The Lahore Museum is known for its extensive collection of Buddhist art from the ancient Indo-Greek and Gandhara kingdoms, as well as from the Mughal, Sikh, and British empires.

Famous artists

[edit]
See also: List of Pakistani artists

Here is a list of some of Pakistan's famous artists:

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Wille, Simone (2017-09-19). Modern Art in Pakistan: History, Tradition, Place. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-34136-9.
  2. ^ a b c Dadi, Iftikhar (2017-09-14). "A brief history of Pakistani art and the people who shaped it". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  3. ^ Ali, Salwat (2013-09-15). "Homage: Remembering the maestro". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  4. ^ "Qudsia Azmat Nisar — Pakistan's foremost watercolour painter and an educator to thousands of artists". Dawn Images. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  5. ^ Hashmi, Salima (2002). Unveiling the Visible: Lives and Works of Women Artists of Pakistan. ActionAid Pakistan. ISBN 978-969-35-1361-5.
  6. ^ "Art: NLPD inaugurates first-ever Calligraphy Wing". The Express Tribune. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  7. ^ Asif, Ramsha (2021-04-08). "Karachi walls deserve better: Graffiti artists chime in". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  8. ^ Chagani, Anum Rehman (2019-06-26). "Meet the graffiti artist taking Karachi by storm". Images. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  9. ^ "Asim Butt — the: 'Rebel Angel' comes back to life through his work". The Express Tribune. 2014-04-05. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  10. ^ "PNCA lacks funds to maintain art gallery". The Express Tribune. 2017-09-14. Retrieved 2021-06-18.