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A creative evening
It is seldom that a gathering of the extended community of fine artists takes place in our country, let alone at Karachi’s Arts Council. For a number of years, the place which is supposed to throb with artistic activity has been unable to attract the creative community of the city, in particular the reputed painters, sculptors, designers, photographers, actors and directors. They have either shunned it themselves or have not been considered worthy of the place by the demigods of culture who have a hold on this public institution. These talented men and women remain busy working in their own fields, without ever setting foot in the premises of the Arts Council.
To bring up some sore issues and to discuss if it is at all possible to revive the ‘good old days,’ the newly elected Fine Arts Committee of the Arts Council with Seema Tahir in the chair, recently invited some individuals on a Saturday evening at the Council premises. Kushbakht Shujaat, Vice President of the Arts Council, occupied the seat next to her. Seema and Khushbakht initiated the meeting, with Shehwar Rahim acting as facilitator. The takhts, sofas, chairs and a farshi set-up was meant to set an informal mood for this discussion.
Softly spoken but hard-hitting remarks came from renowned sculptor Shahid Sajjad. He provided some insight to those who might have wondered why this institution had failed to elicit wider participation and support. Sajjad blamed the malpractices of the past, the lack of a vision regarding the role of the place, as well as a lack of meaningful activity, which could put Pakistan on the map of the creative world.
Sahira Kazmi, in her usual animated style, said there was enough goodwill in this city, and enough talented people who would like to share their ideas and teach through workshops held at the Arts Council. Similar opinions were voiced and support was offered by designers Sonya Battla, Nasira Omar and Shamoon Sultan, make-up artist Mitra, photographer Tapu Javeri, singer Shakila Khorasani, actor/director Misbah Ishaq, scriptwriters Imrana Maqsood and Amra Alam, and actor Ghazal Siddiq who is also the chairperson of the Children’s Committee of the Arts Council.
Art critic Nilofur Farrukh spoke about the A. R. Faridi Gallery at the Arts Council premises – the gallery with a permanent collection of the works of several major artists of the country, in particular the ones which belonged to the former Eastern Wing.
“Where else can you take a visitor or your children to show such works in this city?” She stated that it was imperative that proper display and labelling were carried out, and a catalogue of those works was published. She expressed, on behalf of the artists’ community, the hope that the Arts Council would not become like the Gallery Sadequain (Frere Hall), where figurative works cannot be displayed. Architect Mukhtar Husain suggested that in order for the place to become more attractive for artists with finer sensibilities, the Arts Council’s physical condition and overall ambience needed to be improved.
Like Shahid Sajjad, painter Nahid Raza also reminisced about the earlier, golden years. She felt the Arts Council should improve the condition of the art gallery and restore its credibility, before major artists could come forward to exhibit their works. Similar sentiments were expressed by sculptor Durriya Kazi who said it was a shame that the Arts Council had failed to hold the Sindh Artists’ Exhibition on a yearly basis. She too hoped that the institution would help to set standards, and provide a platform not only for the renowned talent of the city and country, but would also act as a springboard for upcoming artists. Seema Tahir assured the gathering that of the 12 events that had been planned for the year, the Sindh Artists’ Exhibition, scheduled for November, would be the Fine Arts Committee’s most important endeavour.
Aftab Zafar, Wamiq and Shamim Khan regretted the fact that not a single painter has been elected for any position of authority at the Arts Council. Shamim Khan stressed that the Council should develop into a more representative body for artists, while Rana Zaidi raised a valid point regarding the short duration of the term for the elected committees. One year, as at present, is barely enough time to organize a few groundbreaking events, but is certainly not enough to consolidate a meaningful change of thought and direction.
There is potential for improvement on all fronts. People with vision, well wishers and doers alike, can turn the place around. Alas, this just might remain wishful thinking, if the people who matter continue to strangle the best of intentions.
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