The untainted love for art

art

Hailing from Hyderabad, Fatima Ali is an art enthusiast who laid the foundation of the first biennale ever held in Pakistan. In the biennale, the objective was to gather artists from around the world on one platform to spread the message of peace, love and harmony, not among the artists but among different countries. Fatima is one of the driving forces behind the International Watercolor Society Pakistan. She has successfully curated and organised three International Watercolor Biennales in Pakistan since 2016.

You! Would you like to tell the readers what is International Watercolor Society?

Fatima Ali: International Watercolor Society is a non-for-profit-organisation that aims to promote art and culture among different countries. The society was founded by Atanur Doganin in 2012 who is a full time artist and President of International Watercolor Society. Currently, there are 85 countries where IWS organises biennales. Every country has a country representative who is responsible for organising biennales in their respective countries.

You! How did you become a part of IWS?

FA: In 2012, when my husband Ali Abbas Syed – who is himself a renowned artist – and I went to IWS Biennale held in Turkey, Atanur Dogan, the founder and President of the International Watercolor Society saw Ali Abbas’s work and asked him to become the country leader of Pakistan. Ali Abbas found this a big commitment and was confused. I gave him the confidence to avail this opportunity and that I would also support him in this. In 2016, we organised and curated the first ever International Art Biennale in Pakistan. I must mention that to ensure foolproof safety and state-of-the-art event was not less than a matter of life and death. We also faced a lot of opposition from a group of people but there were a few people in the art fraternity who supported us.

The success of the first biennale gave us the confidence and in 2018 we organised the second iteration of IWS biennale in Pakistan. I invited all the senior and junior artists from around the world and people really appreciated it. My husband and I gave our sweat and blood to make this event a success on all grounds.

You! How did you decide the entire plan for the biennale?

FA: There are almost 85 branches of IWS but only Pakistan is the country where we have country, city and media coordinators. By appointing the volunteers and coordinators, it helped us in many ways. The underground water colourists came up to contact the city coordinators and have had an exposure. The city coordinators plan was a success so far.

They coordinate with the city artists and that helped us reach those watercolourists who were underground or stopped making art in watercolours. We started getting double entries for international biennales that take place in other fellow countries and in Pakistan as well. This is how we have formed a very clear passage for everyone so no one is left out.

You! What kind of exposure does one get through biennales?

FA: There are not just biennales that take place in fellow countries but workshops also. The artists get to see the art of different countries, build a portfolio, understand the culture of other countries and foremost, they feel proud to represent Pakistan. They get a chance to exhibit their work in museums and renowned galleries. You would be amazed if you see how much love and respect the countries give to Pakistan. There are talks, speeches, cultural shows, dance, music, food and what not.

You! What is your future plan regarding IWS Pakistan?

FA: The senior artists who have left the watercolour medium and now working in oil paints have also joined in and started doing watercolours again which is another success even in the 3rd international biennale they came and made watercolour paintings which were a revival.

You! Has the government of Sindh supported the cause?

FA: The Law Minister Murtaza Wahab, Advisor to CM on law, personally came to attend the second day of IWS Pakistan, sat and talked to the artist and showed full support to promote the event. Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Minister for culture, tourism and antiques, was also a big support who inaugurated the event and stood by us. The government is standing with us like a pillar to promote love, harmony and peace.

You! How much time does it take to plan the biennale and bring the plans to fruition?

FA: It is not a week or a month of preparation but it requires 24/7 brainstorming, planning and implementation of plans. Like now, it has just been two weeks almost that we have wrapped the third biennale but it’s not wrapped for us. We have a list of sponsors, ministers and a lot of people who we have to meet to discuss the fourth biennale which will be held in 2022.

You! What is the response of the foreigners who come to Pakistan?

FA: There is one name on all foreigners’ tongues; Jamshoro, which is not less than a pride for us. When one asks them where have they been in Pakistan? They take the names of those places of Pakistan which I guess Pakistanis don’t know because we don’t value our country and its culture.

You! What about the sponsors, how do you work with that?

FA: We get sponsors but the problem arises when they don’t come in every biennale. Then we have to look for a new sponsor which is again a tiring process.

You! As it’s an art festival, are the art galleries supportive enough?

FA: Yes, a few. And the ones who are supportive, they support us to the fullest. Art Citi Gallery is our regular sponsor and this time Main Frame Gallery also stepped forward.

You! Do the foreign artists feel threatened coming to Pakistan?

FA: To be honest, I just invite them; coming or not coming is their wish. To my surprise, in every biennale, foreign artists do come and they come because their hearts are more filled with our love than fear. Their stay sends out a positive message. It shows the true image of the country and recent involvement of the government in the biennale has added more power to it.

You! Tell us about the positivity the biennale has brought?

FA: This celebration of art and culture is the biggest achievement and positivity that has spread across Pakistan. The biennales that held in CEAD have given it recognition on international level that international organisers are thinking to soon start a cultural exchange programme for students.

You! What would you like to convey from this platform?

FA: I organise the biennale to celebrate art as no one has ever done before. A good organiser has to have a creative mind and those who have it do not indulge in backbiting and elbowing others. A creative mind is more important than roaming uselessly with a fine art degree. I have spent more than half of my life with one of the watercolour masters of Pakistan, my husband Ali Abbas, who is not less than a degree for me. I will always work for art no matter what hurdles come in my way.