Salwat Ali’s collection of columns, art reviews launched
Art Critic Salwat Ali’s collection of columns and reviews about art and artists of Pakistan in the new millennium was launched Saturday. The book, titled ‘Journeys of the Spirit,’ has been published by the Foundation for Museum of Modern Art (Fomma), in association with the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA). Fomma Director General Jalaluddin Ahmend said that Ali’s abilities are well-known and Fomma only lends a helping hand to furthering the promotion of art of Pakistan. Nilofur Farrukh, the editor of Nukta magazine, said that the book paints a very colourful picture about the art scenario in Pakistan, while Nighat Mir, the honourary director of the art centre, said that there are nearly 10 good art critics in the country, and if they all compiled their writings into similar books then a more in-depth and complete picture about art in Pakistan could be presented to the global audience. Ali did not make an elaborate speech and just said that the book was an acknowledgement of the vast wealth of artistic talent that is present in Pakistan. The book “celebrates the acumen of our established artists and documents the rise of a new generation of art,” she said. She later told The News that the book’s purpose is to “educate the public, local and international, about art coming out of Pakistan because a lot of Pakistani artists are gaining recognition abroad and at the same time a lot of enthusiasm is developing within Pakistan about purchasing locally-produced artwork.” The book has 12 chapters, each of which deals with a separate format of art produced in Pakistan and features reviews of selected artists in that genre. It also details what these artists have done in the first five years of the new millennium. The book covers New-age art, contemporary miniature, art education, abstraction, figurative art, culture, mega exhibitions, ceramics, printmaking, calligraphy, and art publications. A chapter is dedicated to the great artists who have passed away and deserve a mention in any art critic’s book. Salwat Ali is a vetran art critic, with her pieces appearing in all the major English publications of Pakistan. She is also the founding member and associate writer of the Fine Arts Society. She was a student at the Pakistan Art Institute, and was coached by artist Aftab Zafar. Source: The News Date:4/20/2008
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