Pakistani art (Urdu: پاکستانی فن) has a long tradition and history. It consists of a variety of art forms, including painting, sculpture, calligraphy, pottery, and textile arts such as woven silk. It shares features with Indian subcontinental art.[1]
After independence in 1947, there were only two major art schools in Pakistan - the Mayo School of Art and the Department of Fine Arts at the Punjab University.[2] Early pioneers of Pakistani art include Abdur Rahman Chughtai who painted with Mughal and Islamic styles,[2] and Ahmed Parvez who was among the early modernists of Pakistan.[3]
In the 1960s and 1970s, calligraphic styles emerged in Pakistan, with notable artists being Iqbal Geoffrey and Sadequain.[2] The Karachi School of Art, the first art institution in Karachi, was founded in 1964 by Rabia Zuberi.[4]
In the 21st century, graffiti started becoming popular in Pakistan, with the emergence of artists such as Sanki King,[5][6] and Asim Butt. The latter also spearheaded Stuckism in Pakistan.[7]
Major art galleries in Pakistan include the National Art Gallery in Islamabad.[8] The Lahore Museum is known for its extensive collection of Buddhist art from the ancient Indo-Greek and Gandhara kingdoms, as well as from the Mughal, Sikh, and British empires.
Here is a list of some of Pakistan's famous artists: