LAHORE: A dialogue on Shakir Ali was held and an exhibition opened in connection with his centennial celebrations was held at Shakir Ali Museum on Friday.

The event, Homage to Shakir Ali, was organised by the Shakir Ali Museum in collaboration with the College of Art and Design of the Punjab University.

Addressing a big gathering of the young and seasoned artists, Mian Ejazul Hassan, the chief guest, lauded the museum’s director Amna Pataudi, saying she had turned the museum into a happening place for interaction, dialogues and discussions. He hoped the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) would play its due role since an artist and not a bureaucrat (a reference to Jamal Shah) was heading it.

Throwing light on the exhibition by the Punjab University students, Mr Hassan said the students had done wonderful work as they had paid tribute to Shakir Ali through their paintings.

Amna Pataudi said doors of the museum were open to all art institutions and they should come up with ideas and thoughts on Shakir Ali in connection with his centennial celebrations that would continue till the coming March.

PU College of Art and Design Principal Dr Shahida Manzoor was of the view that some of the PhD students at the university should do theses on Shakir Ali. She threw light on the aspects of Shakir Ali’s work, including simplicity and purity. She also lauded the students for putting on display such an exhibition on Shakir.

Veteran painter Saeed Akhtar recalled the days when he used to be a student at the National College of Arts (NCA) where Shakir Ali used to teach him and other students.

Earlier, an exhibition of paintings featuring about 30 artworks by Punjab University Fine Art students was inaugurated by Mian Ejazul Hassan.

Faiza Faiq has combined different elements and symbols of the legendary painter’s works and adopted them in her work in her own style. Farina Najam’s work is inspired by the abstract style of expression of Shakir Ali. Iqra Ayaz has reproduced birds that Shakir Ali often painted. One of the interesting works is by Nabiha Muzzafar who has designed a new ticket bearing Shakir Ali’s image and the Orange Line Metro Train.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2016