LAHORE: A thought-provoking exhibition of artworks titled ‘The Shrine’ dealing with the subject of marginalised minorities in Pakistan by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Junior), the son of late Murtaza Bhutto, opened at 39-K Gallery, Model Town, on Monday.

It was, in fact, an informal public opening of the art show as a private view of the exhibition by a select gathering of artists, filmmakers, social activists and art lovers had already taken place on Jan 9 ( Friday).

Prominent among them were artist Rashid Rana, General Secretary of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, I.A. Rehman, Ghinwa Bhutto, Salima Hashmi, and Lahore Museum Director Sumera Samad.

Ghinwa Bhutto, mother of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Junior), visited Lahore from Karachi to attend the exhibition.

‘The Shrine’ is a show that brings together art and activism and reaches out to engage with the audience present. The main theme or subject of the exhibition deals with marginalised minorities in the country. The gallery has been transformed into a space that is dedicated to humanity and syncretism. Through photo manipulation, portraiture and conceptual art the viewer is encouraged to look beyond what is on the surface and to interact with what is signified.

Salima Hashmi, dean of Visual Art Department Beaconhouse National University, said though the artist was very young, his work carried a stamp of maturity.

Ms Hashmi showed a great liking for the exhibition but she especially adored the artist for a multimedia installation in which the artist had shown the death ritual of a marginalised community referring to ‘Chita’ (pyre).

“One can read this art piece through countless dimensions,” commented Ms Hashmi.

There were transparencies, photographs and video installations on display at the exhibition all referring to various issues the marginalised communities are confronted with. The exhibition is a statement on such minorities’ lifestyle, culture, Values, traditions and concerns.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is a Karachi-based artist. He has received an MAH in History of Art from the University of Edinburgh and an MFA in Fine Art from the San Francisco Art Institute.

The exhibition will continue till Jan 15 from 11am to 5pm.

Published in Dawn January 13th , 2014

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