The minister said today, there was a need for the nation to emulate the Father of Pakistan’s everlasting principles of faith, unity and discipline to face the current challenges

DNA

ISLAMABAD, Sept 11: Interim Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Jamal Shah on Monday inaugurated a solo exhibition of paintings titled “Portraits of Quaid” organized by Ali Azmat, a renowned artist in collaboration with ForArtSake curated by Amna I Pataudi and Dr. Rahat Naveed Masood here at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Jamal Shah paid rich tribute to Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for his vision, untiring hard work and charismatic leadership to win a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent.

The minister said that the artist has thematically tried to capture what Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah envisioned for Pakistan.

He said that the exhibition is a fantastic amalgamation of hyper realistic paintings and drawings of Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

The minister said today, there was a need for the nation to emulate the Father of Pakistan’s everlasting principles of faith, unity and discipline to face the current challenges.

Praising curator Amna I Pataudi, artist Ali Azmat and ForArtSake, he said PNCA should acquire few photographs. He said that the arts can transform you like nothing else.

 Jamal Shah said that National Heritage and Culture Division and its attached departments would organize more cultural activities including theatre, music, film festivals and China Pakistan Economic Corridor Cultural CPEC) Caravan.

The curator of exhibition Amna I Pataudi thanked the Federal Minister Jamal Shah for inaugurating the exhibition. She said that for the first time any artist is federal Minister for Culture and who is himself one of the renowned artist. She said that nobody can better understand the issues of artist’s community than Jamal Shah.

The show was organized to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Mr Jamal Shah quoted at the inauguration ceremony “Ali Azmat adds color, aesthetics, and takes up the responsibility to bring clarity and awareness in the larger political landscape of the country. Ali Azmat has accomplished this feat remarkably well in his works. As you walk from one painting to another, you can see how brilliantly Azmat Ali captures the changing expressions of the Quaid’s visage”.

The artist has painted a benign smile in one, changes into mild bewilderment in the next, looks melancholy sometimes, and disappointed in others. The repertoire of expressions is as rich as the colorful strokes of the artist. His works reflect his love for nature, history, and spirituality, as well as his social commentary on contemporary issues. He uses various mediums and techniques, such as oil, watercolor, acrylic, collage, and mixed media, to create his unique style.

The exhibition will remain open for public viewing till 18th September, 2023 at the National Art Gallery of PNCA. It is part of PNCA’s efforts to promote art and culture in Pakistan and to commemorate 75th Anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam.

The show was heavily visited by a large number of audience including artists, students, VIPs, Government officials, press & media etc. A large number of students visited the show and interviewed the artists about their techniques and art practices.