ISLAMABAD, Feb 24: The 8th National Exhibition of Visual Arts 2002-2003, considered as one of the most prestigious events to recognize the genius of Pakistan’s creative artists who have either excelled as masters or have just entered as fresh exponents on the threshold of recognition, will be held on May 3, 2003 at Alhamrah Art Gallery in Lahore.

The Pakistan National Council of the Arts is arranging this exhibition after five years. The event used to be held earlier after every two years.

According to a press release of the PNCA, 10 cash awards shall be given at the end of the conference, including the Quaid- i-Azam Award, which shall be a lifetime achievement award, given to a personality who has spent his/her life towards the cause of promoting visual arts and won international repute and acclaim.

The other nine awards shall be granted to the art works entered for the competition and are named as “National Awards for Excellence”.

The works collected from all over Pakistan shall be scrutinized by a National Award Committee for the Visual Arts, the first meeting of which was held a few days ago.

The committee comprises eminent artist Gulgee, chairman, and Colin David, eminent painter and teacher, Prof Saeed Akhtar, eminent painter and principal of the Oriental College of Arts Lahore, Mansoor Rahi, eminent painter, and Marjorie Hussain, eminent critic and writer.

A seminar on the occasion will also be held which is likely to take up subjects like “Art form in the perspective of Muslim traditions” and action against unethical practices by some of the gallery owners and condemnation of fake/forgeries in the world of art in Pakistan.

To organize the event in a befitting manner the director- general of the PNCA, Changez Sultan, stressed upon the need for generation of funds by private and foreign agencies.

Constitution of various committees responsible for undertaking different assignments such as display, publicity, collection, selection and reception was also taken up.

Marjorie Hussain has offered her services to act as national coordinator, Visual Art, on an honourary basis and wouldalso compile a catalogue of artists for the occasion.— Mufti Jamiluddin Ahmad