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KARACHI: Distinguished artist and collector Abdul Wahab Jaffer passed away on Friday night. He was 85.
He leaves behind a son and two daughters.
Mr Jaffer was born in Pune, India in 1941. When he was six years old, in 1947, his family came to Pakistan. He began painting in the 1970s. At the time, the Indus Gallery was close to his office. He used to go there to buy artworks and knew artist and art educationist Ali Imam. One day, he asked Imam sahib if he could learn how to paint.
After a bit of dithering, Imam sahib allowed him into the gallery and helped him learn the art. Later, he met with the eminent painter Ahmed Pervez who also encouraged him. Initially, his work was inspired by Pervez’s style. But when Imam sahib told him to move away from that kind of painting, and he was able to do that, it was in 1981 that Mr Jaffer had his first exhibition at the Indus Gallery. Renowned artist Jamil Naqsh came to that show and bought a couple of paintings.
He slowly but surely started to create a place for himself in the art world by coming up with remarkable paintings that had a delightful riot of colours, eye-catching floral patterns and interesting figures. In the final few years of his life, he claimed he was doing work that was closer to German expressionism.
Mr Jaffer came from an illustrious business family. He was also known for his wide and invaluable collection of artworks made by both local and international artists. He himself had exhibited his works in different parts of the world. His last exhibition was held in Karachi in the month of April this year.
Mr Jaffer’s was buried on Saturday in his family graveyard on Hub River Road.
Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2026
