Jamil Naqsh

Summary

Jamil Naqsh (Urdu: جمِیل نقش), (25 December 1939 – 16 May 2019) was a British Pakistani painter who lived a reclusive life in London from 2012 until his death.[1] He briefly studied at National College of Arts but left before obtaining a degree. His work has been described as idealized and sensual.[2][3][4]

Jamil Naqsh
BornDecember, 25th, 1939
DiedMay, 16th, 2019
NationalityPakistani, British
EducationUstad Haji Sharif
Known forPainting
Notable workReclining Nude, Woman with Pigeon
AwardsPride of Performance, Sitara-i-Imtiaz
Websitehttp://www.jamil-naqsh.com/

Life edit

Jamil Naqsh was born in Kairana, India in 1939, and later moved to Karachi, Pakistan during the partition

.[1] In his early teens, he had the experience of travelling alone through Chittagong, Calcutta and Colombo. He learned a lot about life during that harsh journey. He also gained a great respect for the art traditions of the past while travelling. This journey's impressions later influenced his thinking and work.[3]

Naqsh trained as a miniaturist under former National College of Arts professor Ustaad Haji Sharif in Lahore beginning in 1953.[3][2] He left the National College of Arts without completing his degree as he felt it was the experience not the qualification that was important.[3] He left Pakistan in 2012 and settled in London, United Kingdom.[5][6]

On 7 May 2019, due to pneumonia, Naqsh was admitted to St Mary’s Hospital in London,[7] where he died nine days later at the age of 79.[2]

Work edit

Naqsh mostly painted pigeons. He also painted women, often integrating them with the elements of horses, pigeons or children. He grew up seeing pigeons flutter around in his courtyard; thus, much of his work included drawings of pigeons.[1] He set up his Karachi studio in a rooftop garden where pigeons were allowed to move around freely and were welcomed as visitors.[3]

Naqsh was influenced by the works of Indian, Pakistani and European masters, including Pablo Picasso and Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres.[8] In June 2012, an untitled piece by Naqsh was sold for about PKR 6.3 million at Bonhams.[9]

Art exhibits edit

Some of his exhibits are listed below:

Naqsh also painted Islamic calligraphy in his modern style with unique and bold brush strokes. His calligraphic style maintained the basic elements of art, with special emphasis on 'line'.[3] Since 1996, the Jamil Naqsh Foundation and Museum have been run by his family members in Karachi, Pakistan.[1][2] In December 2017, the Jamil Naqsh Museum was inaugurated by Aitzaz Ahsan in Defence Housing Authority, Karachi.[12][13]

Awards and recognition edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e Jamil Naqsh: A treat for art lovers The Express Tribune (newspaper), Published 14 May 2012, Retrieved 17 May 2019
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h 'Memories of Doves and Pigeons', Profile, awards and paintings of Jamil Naqsh on albemarlegallery.com website Retrieved 31 August 2017
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Profile of Jamil Naqsh on studioglass.co.uk website Retrieved 17 May 2019
  4. ^ Works of Jamil Naqsh on albemarlegallery.com website Retrieved 17 May 2019
  5. ^ Dawn.com (16 May 2019). "Iconic artist Jamil Naqsh passes away in London". DAWN.COM.
  6. ^ "Famous Pakistani artist Jamil Naqsh passes away in London". www.thenews.com.pk. 16 May 2019.
  7. ^ "Jamil Naqsh hospitalised in London". Dawn. 15 May 2019.
  8. ^ a b c d Pakistan's top contemporary artist holds solo show in London Dawn (newspaper), Published 27 July 2011, Retrieved 17 May 2019
  9. ^ "Gulgee painting auction sets record at Bonham". The Express Tribune. 14 June 2012.
  10. ^ "Iconic artist Jamil Naqsh passes away in London". Dawn. 16 May 2019.
  11. ^ "Jamil Naqsh's painting exhibition inaugurated". The Express Tribune. 30 December 2018.
  12. ^ "Jamil Naqsh Museum opens its doors". The Express Tribune. 19 December 2017.
  13. ^ "Jamil Naqsh Museum in Karachi is the antidote to antiquity". Herald. 9 January 2018.

External links edit

  • Artist biography and works from exhibition in London viewable online
  • Jamil Naqsh graphite drawing on cliftonartgallery.com website