This week Chishtee shares his journey and experiences as an artist, and discusses the current art scene in Pakistan...
interview
Khalil Chishtee is an artist currently based in New York, America. Chishtee is an internationally acclaimed artist whose practice revolves around questioning the norms, notions of living life and cultures. He makes figural sculptures with plastic bags to address the environmental and ecological issues. On the other hand, these hauntingly beautiful sculptures raise questions about humanity and love. In his engraving on the rustic irons, he discusses how humour lies in Arabic and Urdu poetry and sayings which people usually take too seriously. The artist firmly believes that art should be used as a platform to cultivate ideas and knowledge. In an exclusive interview, this week Chishtee shares his journey and experiences as an artist, and discusses the current art scene in Pakistan...
You! Tell us about your background...
Khalil Chishtee: Although I was already buried in art activities before studying at NCA as a child, I took lessons from Sadequin. In 1989, I graduated from NCA with a sculpture major. During and after studies, I did several commission projects for major cities of Pakistan. From 1991 to 2002, I taught sculpture and drawing at NCA. In 2004, I went on to pursue Sculpture Ceramics at El Dorado Center in Placerville California and did my MA at California State University.
You! You have been making sculptures with polythene bags. When did you start this?
KC: Growing up in a family with limited resources, I was always very much interested in waste materials. Recycling was in my blood. I guess in Pakistan; many people still make use of every empty container. But after moving to the USA, I realised the damage is done by plastic waste, especially by plastic bags. I started working with plastic bags in 2005. I was not looking for anything that will become my signature style. I always go for something which resonates with my primary point of view about life.
You! What are your important tools while making these sculptures?
KC: The most important tool to make these sculptures is my faith and clarity of mind because there is not any hard structure underneath these pieces, so if I am not focused, the form can be lost so easily.
You! What made you use poetic lines and quotations in Urdu that you engrave on rustic irons which is quite humorous and gathered a lot of fame?
KC: My Urdu/Punjabi calligraphic pieces are all about questioning the relationship between the form and content: like beard cannot be the symbol of nobility or Arabic looking text is not always sacred. These are funny or patriotic verses written in Urdu or Punjabi language, and there is always a relationship between image and written words in my work.
You! You had one of the prominent works at the Karachi Zoo in KB’19. Please shed some light on it.
KC: When I was told that KB’19 team wanted me to propose something for Karachi Zoo, I asked them to give me any cage. I love the site which was given to me. I firmly believe that in countries like Pakistan, art should not be restricted to the galleries. Art should be displayed at very unusual places. That’s how ordinary people are exposed to art. In the installation that I made for this biennale was also about lifting each other up even at the darkest time, there is always hope.
You! You taught for 10 years, why have you left teaching? Do you think that we need to change the way of teaching arts in Pakistan?
KC: The ‘problem’ with teaching is that once you are start thinking like a teacher, you always be a teacher. Although I don’t teach anymore, I often get involved in very intense dialogue with fellow artists/students. Most of the art schools in Pakistan don’t encourage students to work with their own hands, so you will see many artists hiring skilled labour during their student time to execute their art projects. Art schools are determined to make successful artists. That’s why quest and thirst for real content lacks in most of them.
You! Is there a difference in the way art is taught in the west and in the east?
KC: Most of the art schools in USA focus on form than the content, they approach content through the form but in my view Pakistani school’s focus is more on content than the form it takes.
You! How important is for people to understand the art and culture of their country?
KC: Art is as important as life itself; without art, life is nothing but destruction. It teaches you how to be human. You can well understand by studying the impact of Bollywood on the rest of the world. On the one hand, they are destroying their centuries-old tradition of arts. Still, on the other hand, they are conquering the whole world by their half Indian half western cultural/art depictions. Art is the only language people understand that is why during times of dictatorship, art suffers the most.
You! How do you see the art scene in Pakistan today?
KC: The art scene in Pakistan is growing and glowing, like anything. Still, like I said earlier, artists are more focused on overnight success than everlasting wisdom; achieving celebrity status, making tons of money. Seems like the only goal.
You! Are artists nourishing themselves or striving hard to live a celebrity life and becoming famous?
KC: Pakistan has become one country where artists are surviving and thriving by making their art. Few have become celebrities too. It’s incredible to see their choice of cloths/brands they wear and homes they live in, but when it comes to being aware of global issues and their intellectual growth overall, the situation is quite hopeless.
You! Is art playing the role of a catalyst in changing the social and political perspectives and bringing in change?
KC: Art has always been playing a role of a catalyst in changing the political perspectives. General people look up to celebrities for their thought about these issues that’s why all over the world it’s by design to make ordinary minds famous so they can say nonsense on the biggest stages. For instance, in one of his speeches, Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan shamelessly said, “Don’t become a philosopher before you become rich”. This very attempt is to reduce the effect of art on people’s heart.
You! Since Zia’s regime, there is a culture of censorship in art and entertainment. How big is this hindrance in the evolution of art?
KC: Art, in general, is the only activity that is more potent than any expression, and because of its power, it can be very dangerous for people who want to spread false ideas or fake news. That’s why all of the dictators try to discourage the artists to express themselves or promote anything that support their point of view.
You! As an artist, what is the most annoying question that you have to answer always?
KC: Art is a fulltime work, so it’s very frustrating when after you introduce yourself as an artist, and their next question would be: what else do you do?
You! Is being an artist sufficient to pay the bills? Or one has to do extra jobs to survive?
KC: Money is a mindset, it has nothing to do with the nature of work one is doing. Money can be made by doing anything anywhere.
You! What was your first failure as an artist?
KC: In art making, one fails all the time. Every stoke is a masterstroke in just a wrong concept. One who proudly calls himself an artist is the one who is not afraid of any failure.
You! At any point in life, have you ever felt that you should leave the art field?
KC: Artist’s life is like falling madly in love with someone, or like a workout in the gym; you love it, and you hate it. You want to quit in the process or during your hard work out, but whenever you are finished it gives you such a pleasure that not doing art is not an option then.
You! What are the pros and cons of being an artist?
KC: Pros: you can dare to live life on your own terms.
Cons: You can dare to live life on your own terms (Because of the ordinary around you and their expectation which you hate not being fulfilled).
You! What is your weakness as an artist?
KC: We all are born individuals, and we do have access to our own genius hidden inside us. As an artist, I know that very well. There is also an agent of this society that resides inside me, who wants me to become like everyone else. Whenever that agent talks me into his agenda, those few hours/days are a most unhappy time for me, and that one weakness that I don’t like.
You! Art for you in one word...
KC: Love.
