Qasim Bugti

Qasim Bugti is a Contemporary Visual Artist, Miniature Painter, and Art Educationist. Born in 1984 in Jafarabad, Balochistan, he currently lives and works in his studio in Karachi, Pakistan. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with a specialization in Miniature Painting from the National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore, in 2009.

Throughout his career, Qasim has held nine solo exhibitions and participated in over fifty group exhibitions both nationally and internationally. His work was featured in Triptych, a three-person collateral exhibition at the Lahore Biennale, as well as La Galerie at the Alliance Française, Lahore.

In 2021, he was honored with the National Youth Award in Painting and Calligraphy as a "high achiever" and was selected for the first Art Mentoring Program (ERCELAWN ART FUND), sponsored by Gallery 6 Islamabad at R.M Studio. That same year, he also performed a live portrait of Pakistan’s founder, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

Qasim established his art studio in 2017 and was recognized by Military College Sui, Balochistan, with Best Performance certificates in Painting and Calligraphy in 2018 and 2019. Earlier in his career, he was awarded the Haji Shareef Prize in Miniature Painting at NCA in 2011. He also attended the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture in Karachi in 2005, where he received a certificate in Drawing and Painting.

Artist Statement

In my perception, calligraphy and miniature painting are inseparable, making calligraphy an integral part of traditional painting. This art form demands not only dedication and perseverance but also hard work and discipline. I am deeply inspired by the subtlety, delicacy, and beauty of calligraphy, which possesses its own unique rhythm and expression.

I have extensively practiced khat-e-nasta'liq in my work. My inspiration stems from both the personality and poetry of Allama Iqbal. Just as Iqbal’s philosophical poetry requires multiple readings to grasp its depth, my work also embodies the repetition of practice, allowing deeper understanding through continuous engagement. The repetitive nature of words in my work mirrors Iqbal’s early stage of self-realization—obedience to the laws of life—which I also reflect in my artistic practice.

I adhere to the principles of nasta'liq, paying close attention to the precision and grace of its strokes. Additionally, I strive to express the essence of Sufism in my work. Sufism is rooted in the quest for understanding the existence of Allah and appreciating the divine beauty in nature. It emphasizes following the spiritual path to attain enlightenment. The ideas of Sufism, deeply intertwined with religious thought, highlight the inseparable relationship between faith and artistic expression.

Sufism also speaks of the soul’s journey, where spirituality transcends the material world. In this philosophy, life is perceived as the existence of the soul, whereas the physical body is considered secondary. This notion resonates with Iqbal’s words, which, like my artistic practice, require constant reflection and repetition to uncover deeper meanings. Some emotions may seem inexpressible, yet through my work, I attempt to give them form and voice.