KARACHI: The occasion was the launch of “Journeys of the Spirit: Pakistani Art in the New Millennium”, a collection of art reviews and articles on different aspects of the fine arts written by Salwat Ali, one of the most respected art critics of the country, but a reference to fakes by artist Moeen Faruqi led to discussions and ultimately in the decision to have the paintings and sculptures authenticated. Jalal Uddin Ahmed, the executive director of FOMMA (Foundation of Museum of Modern Art), suggested that Niloufer Furrukh, head of research and documentation of FOMMA, who was also present on the occasion, ought to take upon the job of authenticating the works of art.

Responding to the suggestion, Furrukh asked the artists to give FOMMA the pictures of their paintings, murals and sculptures so that they could be registered with them, a step which would help discourage the selling of stolen works of art, on the one hand, and prevent fakes of those artists from coming to the market, on the other. And as for the artists who are no more, it was suggested that the owners of their works should get them authenticated by the few people left today who can differentiate between the real and the forged pieces. This discussion was a digression though not an unwelcome one, from the comments made on the fine job that was done by Salwat Ali.

The author had made it clear that she would not make a speech; so she came prepared with a statement that was given to the media but surprisingly was not read. She declared that her book was “an acknowledgment of the vast wealth of artistic talent that we have”. She said that it categorised the “amazing diversity of art that exists in the country and celebrates the artistic acumen of our established artists and documents the rise of the new generation art.”

Mr Jalal Uddin Ahmed said the author had told him that the people could know more about the book by reading it than by listening to her, which was why she didn’t speak on the occasion. But Salwat Ali did answer questions and answered them well. Mrs Azra Jalal, the editor of “The Arts and the Islamic World”, speaking in impeccable Urdu said writings like those of Salwat were a form of continuing with the tradition of what our seniors have done, that is disseminating knowledge and information about the fine arts. It was Mrs Jalal who had convinced Salwat to collate the pieces that she wrote for Dawn’s Gallery, Star Weekend and Newsline on arts and artists.

Nighat Mir, the director of the DHA-FOMMA Art Centre, said that the life of periodicals is limited, which is why selections from them ought to be available in book form so that they are not lost to posterity.

Someone who refused to be identified said that he had the privilege of going to Dubai to attend the Art Dubai show recently with Salwat Ali and benefited a lot from her immense knowledge of the visual arts.

Rabia Zuberi, sculptress and principal of the Karachi School of Art, enthused that never before has the art scene been so vibrant as it is now and she said that FOMMA was mainly responsible for the refreshing change.