The University of Punjab, Lahore, is one of those academic institutions in Pakistan whose history goes back to pre-partition years. The fine arts department of the university has an especially rich background, having been nurtured by individuals who gave their heart and soul to it and whose legacy continues to be revered and even continued by many faculty members.

So many artists who have been associated with this department have an iconic status, Anna Molka Ahmad, Khalid Iqbal, Colin David, Jamila Zaidi, Anwar Afzal, Ghulam Rasul, Aijaz Anwar, to name a few. The galaxy of stellar artists has continued to increase with the passage of time and even amongst the younger lot of artists there are many who have made a name for themselves in the art world of Pakistan.

Of late, the fine arts department, now known as The College of Art and Design, has developed a wonderful tradition of honouring its faculty, especially the senior most individuals who devoted their lives to art and art education. It always felt good to see these dedicated teachers been showered with affection by their students at especially organised functions at the university and this is a heartwarming tradition worth emulating by all educational institutions.

Many other memorable occasions, including cultural events and book launches, have been organised by the faculty in recent years. The latest feather in the cap of The College of Art and Design is a splendid publication of the history of the department and a review of a large number of worthy artists associated with it. The book, dedicated to Anna Molka, the department’s founding principal, was launched in conjunction with a massive group show of paintings and a few sculptures, at the Alhamra Art Gallery Lahore.

The College of Art and Design celebrates its alumni and faculty

Viewing the exhibition was a journey through time, witnessing past, present and even the future. The Punjab University has been more famous for its adherence to tradition and conventional painterly expertise and this old world charm was brought forth in the recent exhibition as well. Most impressive was the collection of portraits; Jamila Zaidi’s ‘Woman wearing a yellow scarf’ and Zakia Mallick Shiekh’s ‘Old man’ for example were outstanding oil paintings, at par with any internationally acclaimed ‘old master’.

Above the rooftops, Matloob Baig

A bevy of earthy landscapes were soothing to the senses – especially those by Khalid Iqbal and Zulqarnain Haider, as was the aerial view of a rooftop by Mirza Matloob Baig. Prolific watercolourist Ajaz Anwar could have been represented by a better painting rather than the one displayed, while Bashir Mirza’s miniature work on metal was unusual, but not perhaps the best choice.

Ijazul Hassan’s composition of flowers and other figures and even Kahkashan Jaffery’s expressionistic landscape were a quaint mixture of exuberance and poignant symbolism while the work of many younger artists displayed a sense of pain and anxiety that was almost uncomfortably palpable. These are just a few examples, as it would not be possible to mention all participants of this large group show.

On the whole, it was an engaging display of talent nurtured over the years at the College of Art and Design. The ‘jewel in the crown’, was nonetheless the publication, A journey of Resilience and Success, mentioned earlier. With Rahat Naveed having developed the concept and contributed to the content along with our veteran art critic Marjorie Hussain, as well as Nadeem Alam, the aesthetically brilliant publication (printed by the Topical Printers), is indeed a treasure every art lover would like to possess.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, November 30th, 2014