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    Art Review: Punjab Romanticism by Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi at Tanzara Gallery, Islamabad

    Written by: Sana Shahid
    Posted on: December 18, 2017 | | 中文

    Sun Bath by Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi

    Known for his stunning landscape paintings and use of light to make sceneries come alive on the canvas, Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi is no less than one of the master painters of our time. Hailing from Dera Ghazi Khan, the landscape painter completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Design from the National College of Arts, and has had numerous solo and group exhibitions, spanning more than two decades. He is the recipient of the President’s Pride of Performance award as well, adding to his long list of achievements.

    A chance to see Zulfi’s work is not one to be missed by any art lover, which explains why Tanzara Gallery saw such a large number of people, when it opened its doors with Zulfi’s recent work from his ‘Punjab Romanticism’ series on December 14th.

    Guests posing for a picture with the artist Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi and the gallery Curator, Noshi Qadir

    Guests posing for a picture with the artist Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi (third from left) and the gallery Curator, Noshi Qadir (third from right)

    Walking through the display, one can clearly see why Zulfi’s use of light is so famous among those belonging to the art world. Every painting of his showcases excellent understanding of light, be it a street covered in fog at dawn, or large expanses of fields during the day. His paintings are not just mere representations of what he sees, but are more about how he sees what’s in front of him. The scenes he paints are easily recognizable, yet there is an impressionistic quality about his work that adds a layer of mystery to it.

    Talking about the way Zulfi paints, Noshi Qadir, curator of the exhibition said, “Zulfi is a realist painter, but his paintings, be they landscapes or cityscapes are more than an imitation of what is seen. He has the magic of capturing the essence of vignette that he replicates on canvas”.

    Delhi Gate I by Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi

    Delhi Gate I by Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi

    Zulfi’s control over his medium is apparent with the way he can influence the mood of his paintings, depending on the time of day or the subject matter. The paintings showing busy streets of Lahore are bursting with colour and motion. Those depicting early dawns shrouded in thick fog are bleak, yet accurate, while those showing vast natural landscapes are serene and peaceful. Though all of these are different kinds of scenes, the use of light as a visual focal point remains a constant.

    His colour palette is rich and his artworks are painted with such control that one can’t help but get pulled into them. As Noshi Qadir stated, “He uses a rich palette that brings a pictorial richness to his canvas. Zulfi’s imagery is idyllic and delightful – he is a master of capturing the seasons and times of day.”

    Small Bridge II by Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi

    Small Bridge II by Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi

    Zulfi’s love for painting nature started when he began to notice the romance of mist. He observed how soft the light would become when a misty atmosphere was broken through by rain. He started studying light, understanding its complexities and its effects on different elements of a scene, and started painting it. The way Zulfi has developed over the years as an artist, therefore, is not really as much a conscious decision as it is a natural process.

    All of this hard work and honest love for what he does is obviously visible in every single piece on display at Tanzara Gallery right now. Zulfi’s work is the kind that has to be seen to be really appreciated, and no matter how much it is praised verbally, the absolutely stunning works of art he creates, cannot be done justice to with words.

    Naulakhah by Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi

    Naulakhah by Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi

    Tanzara Gallery has to be commended for continuing its legacy of bringing artworks such as these to the forefront, providing the art lovers of Islamabad and Rawalpindi a chance to feast their eyes on works of painters such as Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021