22 November 2004	Monday	09 Shawwal 1425

ISLAMABAD, Nov 21: An exhibition of paintings by Rafe-uz Zaman begins at Khaas gallery on Monday. The 25 pieces on display have been selected from Rafe's work of over six decades.

Philosopher, scholar, educationist, and above all an artist, Rafe began painting at an early age but pursued it only for self satisfaction and personal joy. Except for a group show in Germany, he had never exhibited his work.

It was after his death that his wife Rabea Rafeuz Zaman decided to share her husband's works with art lovers. In July 2003 the VM Art Gallery, Karachi arranged a solo exhibition of his works, a selection from the 1990s which was well received by the residents of Karachi.

When the PNCA consented to arrange a retrospective of Rafe's work at Shakir Ali Museum, Lahore, Ms Zaman herself decided to curate it, displaying a selection from his work spread over six decades. This is Rafe's third solo exhibition in the country, besides the one held in Paris in September this year.

"Although Rafe had German background, Paris was central to his artistic sensibility, and it is for this reason that I decided to exhibit some of his work in Paris," says Ms Zaman.

Born in Frankfurt, Germany in January 1924, he was initially brought up by his German grandparents, and was greatly influenced and inspired by this early exposure to the rich cultural and intellectual environment of Europe.

He had inherited the love for art from his father Dr Salimuzzaman Siddiqui and uncle Samiuzzaman both artists, the latter, a student of Rabindranath Tagore. From Germany, Rafe went to India, his father's homeland. There after getting a master's in philosophy he completed his education in the US obtaining a masters degree in journalism.

He worked for the World University Service in Geneva for many years and came to Paris as head of information, International Association of Universities. Paris then became the centre of his artistic inspiration and he painted and sculpted through the years he lived there.

But in spite of his inspiration, his sensibilities remained those of a South Asian of high culture, strongly influenced by his European heritage. A solo exhibition of his works was scheduled with Gallerie 9 in Paris, but unfortunately it could not materialize as Rafe fell ill and had to return to Pakistan in 1967.

Coming back he held different positions and was associated with various organizations such as the National Book Foundation, Pakistan Television and World Bank.