Having been fascinated by the multitude capacities and the rainbow

of talents endowed in the Pakistani population that I felt upon my

arrival to this beautiful land in September 2011; immersed by the

cultural diversity and the colorful paradoxical landscaping of

Pakistan; I could not resist the temptation to mark the wind-blow of

creativity that is silently taking place in Pakistan.

I wanted to give all these wonderful capacities a voice, a soul, and

above all wings with an aim to contribute to its outreach; not only in

Pakistan but also exploring new horizons worldwide.

It is all these mixed feelings that stimulated me to initiate this program

to support the Pakistani artists which I would like to call today “The

Dawn of Expression”. It is a modest effort compared to the hidden

talent of this country, but for me it is a must-do contribution to these

fascinating people that I highly cherish.

Saïd HINDAMThe Ambassador of Egypt.

Message from the CEO – Serena Hotels

It gives me immense pleasure to collaborate with the Embassy of

Egypt in Pakistan in promoting young and talented Pakistani artists by

exhibiting their best kept treasure to the public. I hope one day these

Pakistani artists would be able to display their talent internationally as

well.

Serena Hotels believe in promoting local culture and art by

incorporating indigenous motives as part of the design concept for

their hotels across the globe. The artistic creations of local artisans is

also very prominent in all Serena Hotels in Pakistan, in the form of

hand painted ceilings, wooden lattice-works, artworks, and tapestry

displayed around each hotel. Continuing with this spirit, Serena

Hotels have collaborated with the Embassy of Egypt in Pakistan in

recognizing and showcasing the artistry of the talented artists.

With best wishes for the success of the exhibition,

Aziz Boolani Chief Executive Officer

Serena Hotels – South & Central Asia

Zahra Khan

Zahra works at Ronald Feldman Fine Arts in New York. She is also

collaborating with the French artist JR and the TED prize on the Inside

Out Project, a global art venture. In addition to this, Zahra is

interested and involved in promoting and supporting contemporary

Pakistani art. This show is the first in a series of exhibitions she has

curated and organized in collaboration with the Egyptian Embassy in

Islamabad.

Zahra completed her Bachelors in International Relations and Fine

Art from the University of Pennsylvania. She has previously worked at

the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Curator's Statement

The Dawn of Expression is the first in a series of exhibitions organized

by the Egyptian embassy to promote and nurture contemporary

Pakistani art and young upcoming artists; a venture which is of great

interest to me and that I will continue to support.

Times of uncertainty and transformation often result in the production

of fascinating and daring artwork. The work of many young Pakistani

artists today reflects the undeniable curiosity, creativity and resilience

of the youth of Pakistan, while simultaneously representing a society

in flux.

As the title suggests, this show celebrates and highlights the power of

artistic expression and positive change. Mohsin Shafi, Ayub Wali,

Zaira Ahmad Zaka, Rabeya Jalil and Imran Mudassar are all young

artists. Their bold work is multilayered; it highlights and captures their

impressions of Pakistan and the worlds that they live in. Their pieces

very powerfully express a sense of and quest for identity - whether it

be national or individual. Exploring anomalies in the social and

political system which they are also products of, they explore and

portray them in ways which are at once whimsical, satirical and

serious.

Mohsin Shafi tackles the paradoxes in culture that prevent individuals

from embracing and accepting themselves. Many of his prints and

collages present a cowering, cloaked and covered figure

accompanied by restrictive symbols, such as blinders and a

birdcage. Shafi sends a powerful message regarding societal

bondage and intolerance. His complex work, which deliberately

leaves the figure's gender ambiguous, extends to each member of

society.

Ayub Wali's sculptures replicate the violence in Pakistan's past and

its present. The showerhead gushing blood and the fragile cracked

egg are indicative of death and birth, fracture and healing. Wali's

work is a reflection of a nation that has survived violent separation

and loss and is now on the verge of a new beginning.

Zaira Ahmad's prints recreate the crumbling old buildings and

walkways of Rawalpindi which have become a part of her daily

routine and her existence. Ahmad's prints are nostalgically familiar -

the architectural formations she has replicated could be from any city

in Pakistan. Ahmad's depictions of these structures emphasize the

timelessness of these buildings and their impact upon her memories.

Rabeya Jalil's prints are based upon a specific period in Pakistan's

history when the Rs. 5 note was being removed and the Rs. 5000 was

introduced. Her work highlights the subsequent decline in national

belief due to the heavy implications of inflation and the rapid fall in

consumer confidence.

Finally, Imran Mudassar's paintings and triptych are openly critical of

the wide-spread consequences of war. Heart Target, 2010, the gold

and black triptych presents the often glorified methods of war - fighter

jets and tanks. One of Three, 2011 represent the body of a man

which has been damaged by shell fire. These pieces are based upon

Mudassar's memories of Kabul.

I would like to thank Ambassador Said Hindam, the Egyptian

Embassy and the Serena Hotel for their support for the arts and their

dedication to promoting young upcoming artists through this

important programme.

The exhibition will run at the Egyptian Embassy from January 25th -

28th and at the Serena Hotel from February 1st - 8th, 2012.

Zahra KhanCurator

Mohsin Shafi

We live in a society where few of us can be ourselves. We suffer

abuse from the politically correct liberals with guilt and conservative

fundamentalists, it is a constant struggle to be myself without being

labeled something that which I am not. Exploring various tangents to

identity my visuals investigates the ideology, sanctity, issues of

gender and the tendencies of violence in our culture.

Construction, destruction, reconfiguration, progression and

mystification are elements that can be found throughout my art

practice. I try to examine the concept of decay through the passage of

time and through spontaneous wreckage; exploring aspects of life's

unpredictability and fragility. The visuals counter the narrative

associations taken from the individual prospect and afford a broader

continuum of interpretations. The metaphors combine realistic

portrayals of ordinary events and elements of fantasy and myth.

Through a play with image, text, material, medium and milieu, I

attempt to communicate multiple layers of meaning. I'd rather pose

more questions than provide answers and hopefully, in turn create a

deeper dialogue to expose the grey areas that become

overshadowed by black and white moral codes.

Biography

Shafi graduated from the National College of Arts in 2008 and has

been producing work in various mediums and techniques since then.

Besides his art practice and diverse jobs in print media, he was a part

of the visiting faculty at Beaconhouse National University and at

Pakistan School of Fashion Design. Mohsin has exhibited in group

shows locally and internationally in last four years and had his first

solo show in Dublin, Ireland in 2009. He was a part of the Vasl Artists

Residency 2010 in Karachi.

In Mohsin's work there is a keen sense of merging mediums and

techniques to bring forth collages of conceptual response to life. For

his art practice he uses the techniques of digital media, printmaking,

video and installations.

Motor Mouth, 2009

digital collage printed on handmade paper, A/P, 48 X 74 cm

Once in a Blue Moon, 2010

digital print on archival canvas paper, A/P, 15 X 23 cm

Ayub Wali

The prevailing and unprecedented social discrimination in society,

particularly regarding civil rights, race, nationality, creed, color, sex

etc has created a huge vacuum in the social order. My premise

revolves around these major social issues, where awareness about

neglected segments and enhancing cultural aspects of such classes is

highlighted in my work. Sculpture becomes part of our culture in three

stages: The artist's creative process, the patronage that supports the

artists' work and the interaction of the created sculpture and the

public. I primarily prefer working with natural materials such as wool

and threads however I have also been experimenting with industrial

materials (contemporary material) for example fiber.

Biography

Ayub Wali belongs to the Gilgit-Baltistan region in the north of

Pakistan. He received his primary education from Gahizer Gupise

and graduated from the National Collage of Arts Rawalpindi in

2010. Ayub experienced diverse cultures while growing up as his

family traveled from one place to another because of his father's job.

This propelled him to understand and analyze various societies, and

he began viewing different scenarios from a unique and new

perspective. His Bachelor's thesis also reflects this experience in a

broader context. His work is greatly influenced by the cultural, social

and political scenarios that exist around him and he believes that art

is about bringing change contributing to society and culture.

Untitle

d,

2010

fiberg

lass

, 4 feet x

5 feet x

3 feet.

Untitled, 2010

metal and threads, 9 feet, 7 inches x 6 feet

Zaira Ahmad Zaka

My work depicts the situations through which I'm passing, which

varies from time to time and place to place. It shows the phases as

peace after every storm, a colorless leaf till a flower blooms. I work

around the times before, through and after any certain event of life. I

have tried to capture different emotions that are personal but are

present in every human being without the restriction or boundaries of

culture, region or language.

Biography

Zaira Ahmad was born in 1974. A graduate from National College

of Arts, majored in Printmaking, Zaira has exhibited extensively

across Pakistan, UAE, Malaysia, UK and North America. Currently

teaching at National College of Arts, Rawalpindi, her dedication

towards art education is exemplified by student exhibitions,

workshops and projects. Her works are in permanent collection of

'Art Works' Dubai, Civil Aviation Department Dubai Airport and

various private collections. In 2010 she co-created 'EducateOne' that

supports the education of many and is based upon the idea that 'No

child is left behind'.

Brick by Brick II, 2011

etching and aquatint, 8.5 X 11.5 inches

Brick By Brick V, 2011

etching and aquatint, 8.5 x 11 inches

Rabeya Jalil

This work revolved around the introduction of the PKR 5000 note in

2006 and the gradual extinction of the old Rs. 5 note (being replaced

by a Rs. 5 coin) in Pakistan. It was an insight and appreciation into the

aesthetics of the two currency notes and a commentary on the

growing levels of consumerism and at the same time, the increasing

inflation rates.

Biography

Born in Lahore, Rabeya Jalil did her bachelors with honors in 2005

specializing in Fine Arts, Printmaking, from National College of Arts

(NCA), Lahore. She has exhibited in shows at Lahore, Islamabad and

Karachi, India, U. A. E., New York and Ohio. Alongside working as

Fine Art Faculty in the Print making Department at the Indus Valley

School of Art and Architecture, Karachi, she was the Assistant

Curator of the IVS Gallery at Campus. She served as visiting faculty at

the Centre of Excellence in Art and Design, Jamshoro and helped set

up the Department of Etching (Printmaking) there.

Currently she is a Fulbright Scholar at Columbia University, Teachers

College for her Masters in Art Education.

Asli ya Naqli, 2008

mono printing with paper lithography and xerox transfer

11.5 x 16.5 inches

Asli ya Naqli, 2008

mono printing with paper lithography and xerox transfer

11 x 15 inches

Imran Mudassar

In my recent work and the majority of my work I deal with the idea of

Life and its destruction by creating a dialogue between my own body

and war related objects or events.I have tried to make a comment on

how the different elements of war and other objects of destruction

have affected our lives. Combination of human body and emotions

(at certain places represented by images of human heart) and war

related objects have created a tension on my surfaces and depicting

the idea of life and death.

My work took a departure after my first visit to Kabul, Afghanistan. In

that visit, I did some photography of destroyed and damaged walls of

DarutAman Palace with bullet hole marks. That reminds me of the

three decades of war in that region. Later when I came back to

Pakistan, I used those images in my work (titled “Life drawing” series)

by making pencil drawings of my body with the impression of bullet

holes in it.

Biography

Imran Mudassar was trained as a printmaker from the National

College of Arts in Lahore. After practicing for two years as a

traditional printmaker with its various techniques, Imran began

looking into many unconventional methods of printmaking. He

began to explore it further and produced a body of work by

experimenting with various techniques- both traditional and non-

traditional. Some methods included: Rubber stamp printing, printing

on cutlery and ceramics and panni printing (a traditional technique of

printmaking commercially used for leather binding book covers). This

habit of pushing his boundaries and exploring his medium has

developed his art practice and taken it practice into other directions

as well, such as drawing, painting, video installations and

performance and other mixed media techniques.

One of Three, 2011

poster paint and pencil in digital print, 10 x 7 inches

Atif Khan's work combines old Mughal imagery and narratives

with images of a beating heart. He includes references to modern

innovation, thus commenting on the diverse dimensions of our

daily lives, and the impact that various eras, experiences and

motivations have on contemporary society.

Zahra KhanCurator

Atif Khan

I am inspired by the Eastern tradition of storytelling that's why my

works are narrative in nature. One can find recognizable objects and

symbols in them, which denote obvious meanings. These can lead the

viewer to find hidden messages. Images of diverse and contrasting

environments are juxtaposed in one space, subverting their original

contextual meaning and suggesting new messages.

Biography

Muhammad Atif Khan, (born 1972, Pakistan), graduated (with

distinction) in 1997 in Fine Art from the National College of Arts in

Lahore and in 1998 was awarded the UNESCO-ASHBURG Bursary,

completing a residency at Darat-al-Funun in Amman, Jordan. He

received Commonwealth Arts & Crafts Award in 2007. He was also

appointed artist in residence at the Swansea Print Workshop in

Wales, London Print Studio in England and Glasgow Print Studio in

Scotland. He has also participated in art workshops in India,

Bangladesh and Jordan. He has exhibited throughout Pakistan,

India, USA, EU, Australia, Dubai, Jordan, UK, Singapore and Hong

Kong. Alongside his artistic practice, Khan is the faculty member at

the prestigious National College of Arts in Lahore, Pakistan.

Protocol

Digital Collage (archival), 17.5 x 22.5 inches

Landscape of the heart (iv)

Digital Collage (archival), 17.5 x 22.5 inches

‘Young Artists Support Programme’

Dawn of Expression Artists: Mohsin Shafi | Ayub Wali | Zaira Ahmad | Rabeya Jalil | Imran Mudassar| Atif Khan

Mohsin Shafi

Better Late Than Never, 2010 line and photo etching on somerset sheet A/P 9.25 X 12.8 inches

Self Acceptance, 2009 etching on somerset sheet edition 1/4 9.25 X 6.9 inches

Motor Mouth, 2011 digital collage printed on archival paper A/P 7.4 X 11.4 inches

Reflections, 2010 mono print/collage A/P 29.4 X 13.8 inches

Open the Windows of your Heart, 2009 etching 14.6 X 21.6 inches

On Compassionate Grounds, 2010 diptych mixed media on canvas paper 5.1 X 8.26 inches each

Conflict Within, 2011 etching and mixed media collage 9 X 12.2 inches

Construction Deconstruction, 2010 digital print on archival paper A/P 7.5 X 11.4 inches

22.4t Unexplored Territory, 2010 digital print on archival paper A/P 8.26 X 13 inches

Once in a Blue Moon, 2010 digital print on archival canvas paper A/P 5.9 X 9 inches

Ayub Wali

Untitled, 2010 metal and threads 9 feet and 7 inches x 6 feet

Untitled, 2010 fiberglass 4 feet x 5 feet x 3 feet.

Zaira Ahmad

Brick by Brick I, 2011 etching and aquatint 8.5 X 11.5 inches

Brick By Brick II, 2011 etching and aquatint 8.5 x 11 inches

Brick By Brick III, 2011 etching and aquatint 8.5 X 11.5 inches

Brick By Brick IV, 2011 etching and aquatint 8.5 x 11 inches

Brick By Brick V, 2011 etching and aquatint 8.5 x 11 inches

Brick By Brick VII, 2011 etching and aquatint 8.5 x 11 inches

Rabeya Jalil

Asli ya Naqli, 2008 mono printing with paper lithography and xerox transfer 11.5 x 16.5 inches

Asli ya Naqli, 2008 mono printing with paper lithography and xerox transfer 11.5 x 16.5 inches

Imran Mudassar

Heart Target, 2011 golden printing on book cover 10 x 21 inches

One Of Three, 2011 poster paint and pencil in digital print 10 x 7 inches

One Of Three, 2011 poster paint and pencil in digital print 10 x 7 inches

One Of Three, 2011 poster paint and pencil in digital print 10 x 7 inches

Atif Khan

Landscape of the Heart I, 2011 digital collage (archival) 25 x 17.5 inches

Landscape of the Heart II, 2011 digital collage (archival) 25 x 17.5 inches

Landscape of the Heart III, 2011

digital collage (archival) 25 x 17.5 inches

Landscape of the Heart IV, 2011 digital collage (archival) 17.5 x 22.5 inches

Landscape of the Heart V, 2011 digital collage (archival) 17.5 x 22.5 inches

Surgical Strikes, 2011 digital collage (archival) 17.5 x 22.5 inches

Protocol, 2011 digital collage (archival) 17.5 x 22.5 inches