PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa launched its first-ever online art gallery on Tuesday to promote the work of its artists both locally and internationally.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Art Gallery was launched in a ceremony at Nishtar Hall – a famous cultural center in Peshawar – which was attended by a number of artists and the province’s Director for Culture, Ajmal Khan.
“We are only facilitating the artists,” KP’s Director of Culture, Ajmal Khan, told Arab News. “When the buyers click on a product, they directly get in touch with them. Our Directorate is only helping these creative individuals.”
Addressing the gathering, renowned Pashto poet Abaseen Yousafza said that artists captured moments that went unnoticed by others.
“Those involved in creative arts always try to think differently,” he said. “They try to be creative about their craft.”
Digital artwork displayed by artist from Swabi up for sale for PKR 20,000. (AN photos)
“The environment in this province is favorable for creating good art,” said Yousafzai, “but it is not suitable for promoting this artwork.”
Jehanzeb Malik, one of KP’s famous painters, said during the launch that artists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had long faced problems. “We have lost artists of international stature. Their artwork could not be promoted, and their lives are never discussed in the media.”
Malik said that most art pieces were sold in Karachi and Lahore.
“People in our province spend millions of rupees building their houses, but they do not like to spend 10,000 rupees on an artistic portrait, landscape or other pieces,” he said.
Talking to Arab News, he said that setting up an e-platform for artists was a great leap ahead. However, many of them had little know-how of information technology, and the provincial administration should also replicate the same initiative in the offline world.
Artwork by Zakir Ali showcased for sale. (AN photos)
Visual Arts Specialist of KP’s Culture Directorate, Ahsan Zeb, briefed the audience about how artists could register with the online gallery and display their products for sale.
Former Chairperson of the Fine Arts Department at the University of Peshawar, Prof Dr. Tayyeba Aziz, said the number of artists had significantly grown in the province with the passage of time.
“But I ask women to come in this field since I have observed that most female students of fine arts stop practicing their skill despite being good at it,” she added.
Asad Asghar, an artist from Mansehra, described the online gallery to Arab News as a much-needed and timely initiative.
“Artists need to take their pieces to potential buyers. However, that is a time-consuming and challenging process. The online gallery will not only help us find local buyers but also attract art lovers living in other countries,” said Asghar.
Khan said: “We have taken a number of measures to facilitate people associated with the performing arts and now we felt the need to do something for the welfare of those associated with creative arts.”
He told Arab News that the Directorate was also planning to set up a non-virtual art gallery at Nishtar Hall.
A charcoal sketch by Abdur Rahman Baba up for sale for PKR 25,000 (approximately $200). (AN photos)
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