‘Struggling’ artist nearly sells out in first solo | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

‘Struggling’ artist nearly sells out in first solo

KARACHI: Asim Butt’s first solo exhibition at Karachi’s Zenaini art gallery was a huge success as most of his work was sold out on the first day.

Butt is a photojournalist who exposes his picture on to a canvas. “I photograph two different objects and bring them together,” he told Daily Times. Acknowledging the limitless possibilities with technology today he said, “This could be done on Photoshop but I choose to stick to the traditional medium and painting is my medium.”

Butt started painting at an early age but couldn’t continue it as a career initially. Upon his parents’ insistence he went to college and studied Social Sciences from the Lahore University of Management Sciences. He began a Ph.D. in History at UC Davis in California, but left the course after two years, when he participated in a group show mounted at the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery in March 2002. Thereafter, he returned to Karachi and enrolled in a B.F.A in Painting at the Indus Valley School of Arts and Architecture (IVSAA).

“Art is innate and all about expressing yourself,” he said, “it’s about your inter-perspective.”

According to Butt, his work is influenced by the social and political situation of his surroundings. “I go out during the night and take photographs and then at my studio paint them on to the canvas,” he said.

Butt is a painter, sculptor and also does graffiti. Although graffiti is not permanent and does not stay for very long, is a way through which he believes he can communicate a message.

Not many people may know it, but the eject symbol that appeared in the city after the State of Emergency was imposed, was conceptualized and designed by Butt. He has even been approached by officials on numerous occasions but managed to escape them each time.
Source: Daily Times
Date:3/20/2008