LAHORE: In an online session of the Lahore Literary Festival 2020 titled, ‘ Unveiling the Enigma’, art educationist and artist Saleema Hashmi threw light on the life and works of acclaimed artist Zubeida Agha. The moderator was Ali Majid.

Saleema Hashmi said that Agha left her deep and unique imprint on the Pakistani visual art. Mentioning early days and life of Agha, she said Agha put on display her four paintings at the All India Art Exhibition in 1946 . She hailed from Sahiwal and later moved to Kinnaird College for study. Hashmi said Zubeida Agha wanted to paint her dreams.

Saleema Hashmi also talked about the days of Agha’s academic career in London and Paris and the influences she had during those studies. She said while going to London Agha took along with her eight hundred drawings made by her.

Zubeida Agha had a unique trajectory. She came back to Pakistan from Europe in 1952 and in 1961 she was appointed as the Director of Contemporary Art Gallery, Rawalpindi. She also discussed how the government of Gen Ayub was supportive of art.

Published in Dawn, November 22nd, 2020