KARACHI, July 13: Artists have stressed the need for maintaining the Indus Gallery, established by late painter Ali Imam, as a continued source of inspiration for art enthusiasts.

The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) organized a memorial meeting for painter Ali Imam, in collaboration with the Arts Council of Pakistan here on Saturday.

Speakers on the occasion said Ali Imam was a teacher and mentor to many cultivated buyers for art and provided a meeting place for the art lovers in the shape of Indus Gallery.

Ali Imam’s niece, Nahid Raza, said his uncle was not only a good teacher of art but also a good person. “I learnt technics, style and content and synthesis of painting from him, which helped a lot in highlighting our aesthetics and intuition,” she added.

Qudsia Nisar said the illustrious personality of Ali Imam inspired people to speak more and more. He was an institution and could not be covered just in few sittings, she added.

A. R. Nagori informed the gathering that Ali Imam’s greatest contribution was his collection of references in the subcontinental art.

Aftab Zafar said he had met the great artist for the first time about 50 years back at his first landscapes exhibition. Despite the obvious academic difference in our works, I would not hesitate in saying that he was a great person who laid the foundation of modern art in the country,” he mentioned.

Anwar Rammal said the late artist was so full of knowledge that he always wanted to share that with painters, intellectuals, writers and commercial concerns. “He used to collect people in the evening at his gallery and all would enjoy the gathering.”

Shafi Aqeel said that with the demise of the great painter an art scene had come to an end in the city. He gave a new approach and modern trend to art, he maintained.

Ameen Gulgee said Ali Imam used to argue and discuss the paintings and other issues of life at his gallery. “Karachi was Ali Imam’s city and efforts should be made to promote further the legacy of Indus Gallery and assets of the great painter.”

Saifur Rehman Grami said Ali Imam was a teacher and critic as well and had all the strength to bring forward the other artist and painters.

Writer Sultan Ahmed referred to one after another death of famous artists in recent past and mentioned that death of Ali Imam was also a great loss. He referred to his works and termed him a vital force behind the empowering of art and support to the artists of commitment.