ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on Wednesday celebrated International Women’s Day by hosting a new group exhibition titled She-her.

The event was an impressive group show by 43 national and international women artists including works by legendary masters from National Art Gallery’s permanent collection to commemorate the day.

The opening ceremony included speeches by PNCA Director General, Ayoub Jamali, Asma Rashid, board member of PNCA and Ayesha Durrani, head of the fine art department at National College of Arts (NCA), Rawalpindi.

The opening ceremony was followed by a pantomime on educational rights for women by Waqar Azeem, Abubakar Hussain and Iqra Aftab who mesmerised audience with their superb performance.

According to organisers, for centuries, women artists had inspired and enlightened people with their enormous talent, vision and commitment. Many had served as creative trailblazers in their chosen styles and mediums.

Their contributions were not recognised and they had not received the accolades they deserved. Organisers also said that this carefully curated exhibition was destined to make an impact.

This exhibit featured work by various contributors from national and international grounds. The exhibition offered a little-seen viewpoint on dramatic, social and political transformations happening worldwide.

The exhibition let the audience make their own journey through the bright, intricate and hypnotic creations that these artists had added to the canon of traditional, contemporary and abstract art.

Participating artists included Ammama Malik, Anjum Ayub, Asma Mahmood, Ayesha Durrani, Elizabeth Dadi, Farah Rana, Hajra Mansur, Irum Wani, Jamila Masud, Laila Shahzada, Maliha Azami Agha, Mariam Ahmed, Maheerah Ali, Mehrbano Khattak, Mehr Afroze, Mobina Zuberi, Mussarat Mirza, Nadia Rahat, Nahid Raza, Neeli Ahmed, Nigar Nazar, Noor Jahan Bilgrami, Noor Fatima, Nusrat Ji, Perveen iftikhar, Qudsia Nisar, Rashda Faridi, Rabia Zuberi, Salima Hashmi, Sakina Akbar, Shahida Mansoor, Shaheera Mughal, Sohaina J. Elia, Summaya Durrani, Siddiqa Bilgrami, Shireen Pasha, Sumbal Nazir, Tayyaba Aziz, Tayyaba Aziz Ahmed, Ujala Hayat, Zakiya Dil, Zubeida Agha and Zubeida Javed.

The show was visited by art lovers including artists, students and so on.

A large number of intrigued students visited the show and spoke with the artists about their techniques and art practices.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2023