Renowned artist Ijazul Hassan’s book, “Five Decades of Paintings”, based on his collection of paintings by Dr Musarrat Hasan was launched at Allhamra Hall on Friday.
The book launch was attended by people from all walks of life, including Chief Minister Najam Sethi, Senator Aitzaz Ahsan, Dr Akmal Hussain, FS Aijazuddin, Narjorie Hussain and Quddus Mirza.
The book contains 250 special paintings by Ijazul Hassan along with the history and description of all the paintings. Professor Dr Musarrat Hassan is the most celebrated art historian of Pakistan and has authored six books; five of which are about the history of Pakistani artists.
Ijazul Hassan is one of those outstanding Pakistani artists who identified themselves with their surroundings. His work of the seventies established a new trend in Pakistan paintings. In the early period, he employed popular images clipped from print media, posters and cinema hoardings.
Ijaz did not only paint, he lived these times; for which he was apprehended and incarcerated on several occasions. Many of his works were censored and removed from exhibitions. Canvas Gallery Karachi recently held a retrospective show declassifying some of the works that had been concealed from public view.
Sharing his personal experiences with the artist, Chief Minister Najam Sethi said, “Because of his painting I was able to understand the relationship between arts and politics”.
Paying tribute to the author’s wife, Sethi said she was a pillar which had helped him stand among the most well known artists in the history of Pakistan.
“Ijazul Hassan will be remembered in the history as a politician and a revolutionary artist. His paintings have a spark which connects everyone with the reality. His paintings do not discriminate among class and religion,” Senator Aitzaz Ahsan said.
“The history which is being taught to us is quite different from the original history of Pakistan and Ijaz has done a remarkable job narrating the real history of Pakistan by his paintings,” Aitzaz added.
Qaddus Mirza said before 1970’s all the artists were as talented as Ijaz, however, now the artists have a limited approach. “Ijaz’s work has a depth and beautiful style which is nearly impossible to be copied,” Mirza added.
A participant, Rafia Kamal said, “Ijaz is wonderfully talented and he fears no one. He narrates every aspect of life and there is no discrimination in his paintings”.
Aysha Alvi, another participant, said there were very few intellectuals in Pakistan who are still working in the line of fire and Ijaz is one of those.
