Bridging worlds through artistry

art exhibition

Imran Qureshi, a globally celebrated artist and recipient of the prestigious Sitara-e-Imtiaz award, has unveiled ‘Home’ at COMO Museum, a solo exhibition running in parallel with his ongoing existing solo show, ‘The Garden’ at Nasir Bagh. Indeed, both exhibitions thematically blend elements of Lahore’s cultural heritage while simultaneously addressing current global issues.

Hailing from Hyderabad, Sindh, Qureshi graduated as a miniature painter from the esteemed National College of Arts, Lahore, in 1993. Over his illustrious career spanning twenty-nine years, Qureshi has emerged as one of the most significant Pakistani artists of his generation, garnering international acclaim for his distinctive artistic style. One of Qureshi’s most notable achievements came in 2013 when he was commissioned to create a large-scale, site-specific work for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s prestigious Roof Garden Commission in New York. The same year, he was awarded Deutsche Bank’s Artist of the Year and exhibited solo for the first time in Europe at the Deutsche Bank Kunsthalle in Berlin.

Since then, Qureshi’s work has been showcased in numerous solo exhibitions at renowned institutions around the world, including the Barbican Centre in London (2016) and the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art in Aalborg, Denmark (2016). Qureshi’s artistic oeuvre extends beyond the confines of traditional gallery spaces, with the artist undertaking several site-specific projects of monumental scale. In 2018, he created a stunning installation at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC and executed a mesmerizing project in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the same year. These projects underscore Qureshi’s ability to engage with architectural spaces in a transformative and immersive manner, blurring the boundaries between art and the built environment.

Qureshi’s recent solo exhibition ‘Home’ at the COMO Museum offers viewers a unique opportunity to experience the artist’s visionary approach to space and place. The exhibition takes place in a double-storied space originally designed as a residence in the 1980s, allowing Qureshi to reimagine the concept of home in a thought-provoking and visually compelling manner.

As viewers traverse through different levels of the museum, they are greeted by a series of immersive installations that invite contemplation on the themes of memory, belonging, and displacement. Qureshi’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in the rich tradition of miniature painting, a centuries-old art form that originated in South Asia. However, Qureshi’s approach to miniature painting is anything but traditional. He seamlessly fuses the vocabulary and motifs of traditional miniature painting with elements of contemporary abstract painting, resulting in visually stunning artworks that transcend temporal and cultural boundaries.

The journey through Qureshi’s exhibition begins on the ground floor, where his mastery of miniature painting is prominently showcased. Here, visitors encounter sprawling murals adorned with intricate miniature work, each meticulously arranged to evoke sombre yet chaotic tones. As visitors ascend to the first floor, the ambiance shifts, with photographs of the city, ceramic tiles, videos, and mirrors creating a multi-dimensional experience that blurs the boundaries between reality and illusion. Finally, reaching the rooftop offers a grand finale, where the space transforms into a vibrant tableau reflecting the dynamic culture of Lahore, providing viewers with a stark yet harmonious contrast to the interior journey curated by the artist. At the heart of Qureshi’s work lies a profound exploration of socio-political concerns and the complex interplay between life, beauty, violence, and death. Through his art, Qureshi confronts the paradoxes and contradictions of the human condition, inviting viewers to reflect on the existential dilemmas that define our existence. His practice pushes the boundaries of traditional miniature painting, challenging conventional notions of technique, subject matter, and aesthetic sensibility.

Through his solo exhibitions ‘Home’ and ‘The Garden’, Qureshi aims to establish an intriguing dialogue between the two, creating a philosophical diptych that explores the themes of identity, memory, and belonging. By juxtaposing the intimate interior space of the COMO Museum with the expansive outdoor setting of Nasir Bagh, Qureshi invites viewers to contemplate the fluidity of space and the interconnectedness of past and present. The two exhibitions create an interesting conversation about the concepts of home and garden. Ultimately, they serve as an ode to the artist’s connection with the city of Lahore.

Qureshi’s solo exhibitions serve as a testament to the transformative power of art, offering viewers experiences that provoke thought, evoke emotion, and inspire reflection.

As visitors immerse themselves in Qureshi’s visionary world, they are transported on a journey of introspection and discovery, guided by the artist’s unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

The solo exhibition is currently open for viewing at the COMO Museum and Nasir Bagh, respectively, offering audiences a rare opportunity to engage with Qureshi's thought-provoking work until the summer of 2024.