Use of Architecture in Pakistan Paintings
The use of architecture in Pakistani paintings has a rich history can dates back centuries. However, there’s no exact time when architecture was first used in paintings in the region is challenging due to the diverse cultural and artistic influences over the years.
Architectural depiction in ancient art
In the context of Pakistan, part of the enormous Indian subcontinent, early examples of architectural depictions can be discovered in ancient art, including Buddhist and Hindu paintings. Pakistani art, during partition in 1947, has been influenced by diverse cultural and artistic movements. Modern and contemporary Pakistani artists have explored architectural themes in their works, reflecting a blend of traditional influences from around the world.
Pakistani artists making Paintings with Architecture
The following two artists are the renowned artists of Pakistan
Ajaz Anwar.
Anila Zulfiqar.
Ajaz Anwar
Dr. Anwar’s watercolor paintings capture the grandeur of Lahore’s old buildings and its cultural life. His primary focus is on preserving the architectural heritage of Lahore, which is gradually being replaced by modern structures. In his artworks, faceless characters represent the common people bustling through bazaars and markets, depicting daily life. Notably, kites feature prominently in his paintings, particularly in his works on Basant, adding a touch of romance and significance. Dr. Anwar has showcased his watercolor paintings worldwide, including exhibitions in Istanbul, Ankara, Rome, Kuala Lumpur, Delhi, Chandigarh, London, and Canterbury[1].
Anila Zulfiqar:
The artist spent her whole life in the street of the walled city of Lahore because her maternal grandparents lived from earlier, and the cityscapes heavily influenced her. Over the past few years, she has been focused on creating a series of paintings capturing the disappearing architecture of old Lahore. She sees these buildings as reflections of the journey of women in society. These buildings possess their character, mood, and history, resembling human beings in many ways. she concludes that she aims to convey their essence and significance in a simple yet profound way.
Conclusion
- The main focus of interest in these paintings of architecture was to preserve old heritage.
- The artwork depicts a representation of daily life, culture, and architecture
- How modern architecture is affecting the old architectural heritage
- Artists like Anila Zulfiqar and Ajaz Anwar are capturing the significance of Pakistani cityscapes.
