Fahad Ali, 22 x 28 Inch, Oil on Canvas, Citysscape Painting, AC-FAL-008

Though not a ‘born’ artist, I have been lucky in having a big success ever since my very first show (2000, as part of a group show) at VM Art Gallery, Karachi. I have since then earned some name in painting ‘cityscapes’, the subject I like to paint most often.

A graduate of Karachi Art School (1996-99), I was put there by my parents to overcome my physical limitations. I have had a varying career. Beginning as an art teacher (2000-02) at Karachi Deaf & Dumb School, Numaish, M A

Jinnah Road and later as a computer man, doing animation work in ads since 2002 and to date. I also spent a short time as a teacher at Institute of Art & Design, Sindhi Muslim Society, Karachi (in 2002).

My most preferred subject in art is painting scenes of bazaars and business streets of Karachi, Lahore and other cities. Next come sun, moon and urban landscapes.

I have been lucky in having good patrons – A Q Arif, Danish Ahmed and Rabia Zuberi, head of VM Art Gallery. Arif and Danish, now both big names in the world of art, helped me pick the subject of my specialization – cityscapes –and also introduced me to leading gallery managers/ owners in the city. I have won success at many shows after being launched by Ms Zuberi.

Abid Hassan, an artist in Karachi also helped me grow. He introduced me to Islamabad – first at Gallery Six – where many of my paintings were sold in Art Bazar. This was after my launch at VM Art Gallery, Karachi.

Why cityscape – my favorite subject – because it has been winning my heart as depiction of real life and inducing me to put it on canvas. It has won me many appreciators. Paintings of business centers in Karachi and some historical sites of Lahore have won me big appreciations.

My latest trend is for painting ‘abstract paintings’. This change has introduced me to a wholly new mind set. And I like the change and hope my appreciators too would like the change. I look forward to your comments for further improving my work.

EXHIBITIONS

Group Shows

2000 V.M. Art Gallery, Karachi

2000 Canvas Art Gallery, Karachi

2001 Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi

2002 Pak Virsa Art Gallery, Karachi

2003 8th National Exhibition of VISUAL ARTS 2003 at

Pakistan National Council of Arts, Islamabad

2004 Gulmohar Art Gallery, Karachi

2005 Gulmohar Art Gallery, Karachi

2006 Gulmohar Art Gallery, Karachi

2008 Gulmohar Art Gallery, Karachi

2014 Gulmohar Art Gallery, Karachi

2014 Art Bazaar Gallery 6, Islamabad

Solo Shows

2001 Alliance Francace, Karachi

2014 V.M. Art Gallery, Karachi

Awards won

Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi --- August 7 to 14, 2001.

Pakistan National Council of the Arts --- 2003.

Gulmohar Art Gallery in Tapal Tea Art Award Competition --- June 2005.

TMT Ventures Outstanding Performance and Lasting Contribution in Post Amazers Award of Merit --- November 2008.

Newspapers’ Coverage

Daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Karachi, November 8, 2000

Daily News Week End Magazine, July 22, 2000

Qaumi Akhbar, Evening News, October 2001

Mag Weekly, December 1, 2001

Daily Dawn, Karachi, January 2014

Daily Times, Karachi, January 2014