Arts & Crafts
Subgroup:

The Arts & Crafts Subgroup organises presentations s with a range of different artists and craft workers. These events can vary from exhibitions ,conversations with artists, demonstrations of different crafts eg. Jewelry making , printing, calligraphy etc.The events are often hosted by the artist or curator.Programmes organised by other organisations eg: PNCA/ Lok Virsa that complement the interests of ASG membership are also shared .
Coordinator: Anita Schneider
Co-coordinator:

Subgroup Programmes:

Special Programme- 'DOCUMENTING THE NATIONAL ART GALLERY, ISLAMABAD' : PRESENTATION & BOOK LAUNCH
Saturday, 14 December 2024
‘The National Art Gallery in Islamabad represents the cultural heritage of Pakistan, the visual as well as temporal. It represents the collective ethos of the nation…’
Renowned Islamabad architect Naeem Pasha will present his newly published book “Documenting the National Art Gallery”, which charts a remarkable 27-year long journey to build Pakistan’s National Art Gallery. The journey culminated in a stunning inaugural show that highlighted Pakistan's extraordinary visual art.
For more than 35 years, Pasha co-owned Rohtas Gallery, one of Islamabad’s first and foremost art galleries. A poet and a painter- apart from being an architect- he is the recipient of the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in recognition of a lifetime of service to art and architecture. Among numerous others, he has also designed the St Thomas Church in Islamabad, the Pakistan Air force Academy in Risalpur and the State-Life Tower- that dominates Islamabad’s Blue Area.
He will be in conversation with architect Hammad Husain whose many works include government and commercial buildings as well as private residences.
The National Art Gallery (NAG) Islamabad- established in 2007- is located in the heart of Islamabad, near the Parliament House and is part of the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA). It Showcases Pakistan's rich cultural heritage and contemporary art, and features works by renowned Pakistani artists, including: Sadequain, Shakir Ali, Zulfiqar Zaidi, Gulgee, Anna Molka Ahmed .It also regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, workshops, and lectures. The Permanent Collections include: Modern and Contemporary Art,Calligraphy and Islamic Art, Sculpture Garden, Textile and Folk Art.
- In collaboration with PNCA

Arts & Crafts - GONZALO RUIZ NAVARRO: A PRESENTATION
Thursday, 31 October 2024
With a career spanning over 30 years ,Gonzalo Ruiz Navarro is a celebrated Spanish artist renowned for his impressionist oil and pastel paintings. His exceptional work has not only garnered numerous awards but has also been showcased in prestigious galleries across the United States, Europe, and most recently at the PNCA, Pakistan.
Gonzalo’s artistic journey began with his studies in Fine Arts in Spain, and since then, he has participated in 55 exhibitions. In addition to his artistic achievements, Gonzalo has devoted over 26 years to teaching painting through classes, lectures, and workshops.
We are privilged to have him with us to share his insights and experiences!

Arts & Crafts - COLOURS OF FUSION: PAPER MIRACLES & SUNNY MIRACLES!
Saturday, 18 May 2024
Join us to learn about Miracles Trust’s flagship initiatives- Sunny Miracles & Paper Miracles!
Sunny Miracles is transforming lives with its “green” technology using solar dryers to preserve fruits and vegetables. You will get an opportunity to taste and enjoy delicious 'Halwa' made from sun-dried carrots!
Paper Miracles is an innovative upcycling initiative .Its vision is to positively impact the lives of marginalized women as a self-sustaining social enterprise, specializing in distinctly quality hand-crafted recycled paper products. The beneficiaries transform waste paper into exquisite handmade paper bead products. We will make our own very 'special' jewelry piece from recycled paper .Those of you who are feeling particularly creative can also attend an optional programme and design your very own special momento bracelet using the Paper Miracles paper beads!

Arts & Crafts - EXPLORING ABSTRACT ART WITH SUZAN ALSAID
Saturday, 20 April 2024
Abstract art is art that does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of a visual reality but instead uses shapes, colours, forms and gestural marks to achieve its effect. It is expressive and very theraputic!
Suzan Alsaid is a Jordanian artist who will teach us how to do abstract painting with acrylic paints. She has been teaching adults and kids in the past years and last month. Her work has been recently exhibited at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA).
Children are welcome to join this session!

Arts & Crafts - 'PAINTING ON SILK'- A SPECIAL WORKSHOP FOR BEGINNERS!
Saturday, 17 February 2024
'Silk' painting developed from Indonesian traditional 'batik' art makes a fun and relaxing hobby ! Hand painting scarves can create beautiful, wearable works of art and thoughtful gifts for friends and family. It can also be used to create focal elements in card making, wall hangings, pillowcases, bags, pocket squares, and other decorative projects.
In this beginner's guide to silk painting, we will show you how to make your own piece for wall-hanging or a square scarve. You will learn how to use 'gutta' to draw your outlines, and paint your own creative design using silk paint!

Arts & Crafts - Africa Adorned - 'TAAZLI'
Saturday, 18 November 2023
Angela Fisher in her fascinating book 'Africa Adorned' writes:
"For the peoples of Africa, beads of precious metals,bronze,brass,glass,bone,shell and clay play an important role in the adornment of the body and home. In addition, glass beads,brought from Persia and China by Arab traders,and later from Europe by the Portuguese,were widely used as a form of barter...'
Rehana Fazli -during her stay in Africa and travels around the globe as a Diplomat's wife- developed a passion for beads.
Calling her amazing collection "TAAZLI": The Table Jewellery, the creative and talented entrpreneur will share her expertise and interpertation of 'Africa Adorned'.

Special Programme: Comparative Cultures/Art - TRANSBORDER FEMINIST ART
Saturday, 20 May 2023
'The way in which international media frames certain ideas affects public perception , and relates to the struggle to deal effectively with a diversity of experiences and perspectives of Muslim women across borders...'
Toronto based visual artist and curator Iman Aziz Bhatti will share her experiences on how Muslim Pakistani women represent their identity and culture across borders through contemporary art, theory and criticism; and how visual arts is giving them agency to represent themselves while challenging the normalization of stereotypical ideas and realities put forward by media.
Iman Azizi Bhatti graduated in Fine Art and in Criticism and Curatorial Practice from Ontario College of Art & Design University. Her practice explores themes of identity, gender roles, orientalism and resistance to emphasize how exposure to images shapes perception, particularly that of South Asian women.

Arts & Crafts - 'PAKISTANI VOICES'- EXPLORING ART... (A SLIDE PRESENTATION & DOCUMENTARY )
Monday, 8 November 2021
An opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage and the fascinating art & craft scene across Pakistan!
A slide presentation will be followed by a documentary:
‘An Ode to the Mystic City -- Androon Lahore’ that offers glimpses into the rich history and culture of the walled city of Lahore, focusing on its fascinating Mughal architecture , the life in and around the historical gates of the city, and the evolution of culture amidst inadequate efforts to preserve heritage.
Hyatt’s prime reason for making this documentary film is her personal association with the city "It is a subject that is close to my heart which I have been rediscovering over the years, having being born and bred in that city. The changes in the inner city have been manifold but the romance lives on.I wanted to contribute positively to the cultural scene..."
Nageen Hyatt - alongside her involvement with human rights and peace, is the Founder/Director of the Nomad Art Gallery and Cultural Centre-A holistic centre that aims to promote artists from different backgrounds and genres, and offers seminars and programmes to educate and enhance an understanding of the arts in Pakistan.

Arts & Crafts - THE ART OF HAL BEVAN-PETMAN (1894-1980)
Monday, 22 March 2021
A multi-media presentation/display/conversation:
‘Henry Charles (Hal) Bevan-Petman, was born in Britain. He graduated with a Fine Arts degree from the Slade School of Art in 1917. His parents, moved to the Subcontinent where they had several businesses amongst some of which were coalmines in the Baluchistan region. Research shows Hal was the third generation of his family to reside in India, then under British rule. Hal and his third wife Berylle Dyer, whom he met, and married in Lahore some years before partition, settled down to a life residing in Rawalpindi Club, with the hot summers spent in Murree and Bhurban. She was very supportive of his work and the two of them became a part of the fabric of Pakistan society...’
Pakistan, in the the 50s, 60s and 70s – saw a consistent high in Petman’s popularity. His clientele was the elite, with distinguished backgrounds, who vied for a portrait to be done by him. Included in the list were several notable personalities and/or their spouses. Ranging from the Nawab of Bahawalpur, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the Founder of Pakistan, and various subsequent Presidents and Military Commanders. He was also commissioned to paint military battle scenes which now adorn the walls of numerous Pakistan Military Academic Institutions. However, his signature style by which he is remembered mostly today is of those doe- eyed , long necked socialite beauties of the day-known as ‘The Petman Girls’!
In later years, labelled as “a commissioned artist”, he was shunned by the local art scene, his particular niche artistry lost in a flood of modernism. However this did not apparently make a dent in his appreciation as an artist, as his portraiture reached British Royalty where four of his works are displayed in Sandringham House , gifted to Queen Elizabeth II by the Government of Pakistan in 1961. These paintings form a part of the Royal Art Collection.
Amateur researcher Romano Karim Yusuf has been tracing Hal Bevan Petman's story for three decades. He shares in this presentation a small piece of history and an aspect of culture; a walk into the lives of the people who had been an important part of an almost forgotten history when portraiture was done in the classical style of a traditional oil painting, and considered and respected as an art form- a refreshing addition to the Pakistani art scene and local art history. Based on her correspondence with Romano , Hal’s granddaughter is now writing a book on her grandfather.