PESHAWAR, Sept 21: Artist Arbab Mohammad Sardar, a recipient of the presidential award for his achievements, has offered to gift his rare pieces of art if the government establishes an art gallery in his name.

Talking to Dawn at the inauguration of a three-day exhibition of his works, Mr Arbab said there was a need for an art gallery in the NWFP to promote cultural and literary activities. He said he was ready to teach in the proposed gallery.

The exhibition has been arranged in the Nishtar Hall by the culture department and the Abasin Arts Council. Mr Arbab said he had some 400 rare pieces of art in different mediums. "I have received an unofficial offer from some quarters to display and preserve my work but so far I have not been promised of a gallery named after me," he said.

About 60 paintings in water, oil and charcoal depicting traditional Khattak dancers, Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Ghantaghar and other historical buildings of the old Peshawar city have been put on display. Mr Arbab has studied decorative art and techniques of modelling and mouldings in stones and marbles.