‘Digital art receives more attention than traditional art in Pakistan’

Syed Salman Nasir started drawing at the age of three-and-a-half and had a passion for cars and horses. “At that time, my best friends were my dinky cars, my horse models, and my pencils and papers. I would draw whenever and wherever until it turned into a passion,” Nasir said while talking to Pakistan Today. He said, “Being a mechanical engineer, my father used to draw cars for me, and I was always fascinated by the intricate mechanics and the latest models. An uncle of mine who was and still is a horse fanatic used to send me picture books with horses in them, and I used to draw those horses.”
Watching animated series on the television expanded his world of imagination threefold. He was so fascinated by the animated heroes that he quickly forgot about cars and horses.
“Soon, comic books entered my life and I would read about superheroes and watch their programmes on the television, and then draw their latest adventures,” he said. After painstakingly pursuing science for 12 years, his elders agreed to send him to the Indus Valley School of Arts and Architecture. “Four years later, I graduated with distinction and received my Bachelor of Design degree,” he told this scribe.
During his time at Indus, however, Nasir was known more for his illustration skills than for his design work. “Hence, I am known as an illustrator and a storyboard artist in the industry,” he said.
After getting into Indus, he began experimenting with computer software. During this time, he also got a pen tablet. “Using these new tools helped me broaden my horizons and expand my mind frame so much that I felt that nothing was impossible. I believed that if I could think of something, then these tools would provide me with the resources to create it. And there has been no turning back since,” he said.
Talking about inspiration, he said that comic books and anything to do with superheroes are his prime sources of ideas and inspiration. “I am also greatly inspired when I’m in a forest or in the mountains. The quiet, serene atmosphere has a miraculous effect on the brain and helps me relax. Listening to good music helps as well, especially when I have a lot of work to do.” When asked why digital art is valued more than manual art, he said that traditional art does not have any less value than digital art, but the latter receives more attention. “Unfortunately, manual art does not get the kind of respect in Pakistan that it deserves. Hence, it has been limited to a selective group of people who know of it and appreciate it,” he said.
He added that digital art receives more limelight because it is in the media, and on the billboards, computers, mobile phones, etc. Talking about the future, he said that he hopes to set up a company to promote traditional and digital artists. “I want to bring all artists on one platform and provide them with the resources necessary for expressing themselves and promoting our country’s culture and values,” he added. For novice artists, he said, “Never give up. If you’re passionate about something, go for it. It’s much better to do something that you would do well and with all your heart than doing something you don’t have the slightest interest in. In the words of the character Andy Bogard, ‘If you want to be the best, it’s practice every day, pal.’”