A journey of Resilience and Success
It was a memorable evening for art fanciers and artists here at Alhamra Art Center, The Mall, on Tuesday where a grand book launch and a magnificent painting exhibition opened doors to memory lane down to yore years of College of Art and Design, University of Punjab.
The 248-page book having a gorgeous golden and maroon hard cover titled ‘A journey of Resilience and Success’ (1940-2013) College of Art and Design, University of Punjab, was launched on the occasion.
The book was co-authored by Marjorie Husain, Rahat Naveed Masud, Nadeem Alam and Barbara Schmtiz. The chief guest at the event was Syed Babar Ali.
The book which has been dedicated to Anna Molka Ahmed, a Pakistani artist and a pioneer in fine arts in Pakistan, has been written with the aim to document important graduates of the college and to acknowledge its place in the local art scene.
Speaking on the occasion, Syed Babar Ali congratulated the college and the authors for coming up with such a significant book on art, doing a great service of recording the great works by the institution’s graduates over the last 70 years.
Mr Ali said a music school was also envisaged along with the College of Art and Design, adding it should be probed why the idea was dropped. He said it would be wonderful if a music school was added to the college.
Rahat Naveed, one of the authors and a former college principal, said Syed Babar Ali had always been supportive of educational endeavors.
Ms Masud said she conceptualised the idea of the book and the project was initiated in 2011. She said though the project turned out to be a big challenge as it faced many stumbling blocks, it became a valuable success.
She specially thanked Marjorie Husain for her dedicated help and contribution throughout the publishing process of the book.
Marjorie Husain who specially flown in from Karachi to attend the launch, lauded the effort put in bringing out such a wonderful book on the history of the institution.
Dr Veera Ahmed said the book had comprehensively covered all the phases the college went through since its inception and had much to offer when it came to its many renowned graduates.
The college Principal Prof Dr Shahida Manzoor acknowledged the support extended by Syed Babar Ali for the project, besides lauding the authors and others who helped in bringing out the book.
The book celebrates the faculty and numerous graduates the college has produced since its inception in 1940. With 150 colour illustrations of the works by college graduates and teachers, the book must rank as one of the most splendid commemorative volumes an educational institution in Pakistan has ever produced.
An exhibition based on the works by the graduates of the PU’s College of Art and Design also opened on the occasion at Alhamra Art Gallery, The Mall.
Inaugurated by Syed Babar Ali, the exhibition carried remarkable works by leading artists from the college.
The artworks on display were from different collections belonging to individuals, institutions and art galleries.
The show was a treat to fine arts fanciers and a great opportunity to learn for young artists. It was also a get-together of College of Art and Design graduates, some of them meeting each other after years.
Among the master pieces on display was a 1956 portrait of Anna Molka Ahmed by Khalid Iqbal. ‘Woman with Yellow Scarf’, a 1956 painting by Jamila Zaidi, a 1982 cityscape by Dr Ajaz Anwar, ‘Woman at Work’, a 1960 painting by Naseem Hafeez Qazi and many other art jewels were also among the exhibits. The exhibition will run through till Nov 14.
(Dawn)
