SAVAC International Lecture Series Presents: Professor Salima Hashmi
Professor Salima Hashmi
@ the Art Gallery of Ontario, Wednesday, July 24, 7pm
Salima Hashmi is the curator of “Threads, Dreams, Desires”, an exhibition that traces some of the strategies artists in Pakistan have evolved to question the canons of ‘fine art’ and ‘craft’. The exhibition is currently on exhibit at the Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Preston UK and features the work of Naazish Attaullah, Ruby Chishti, Aisha Khan, Naiza Khan, Imran Qureshi, Anwar Saeed, Masooma Syed, and Risham Syed.
Hashmi writes, “Recipients of visual arts training are relishing the engagement with traditional craft skills. A certain fearlessness is detected in these emerging alliances of art studio practices with domestic crafts and an unexpected covenant is welcomed as part of this project. The works of these artists speak of a multiplicity of desires, a desire to reinforce the vigour of irony, the desire to probe well-worn controversies, and a desire to forge bonds across many fissures”.
Professor Salima Hashmi taught at the National College of Art, Lahore, for 30 years in the capacity of Lecturer, Assistant Professor and Associate Professor of Fine Arts. She was also the Principal of the College for 4 years, and held the post of Professor of Fine Arts. As a painter, she has exhibited in Pakistan and internationally. She has written extensively on arts and crafts, and has curated exhibitions of contemporary art and traditional textile, within Pakistan and abroad.
Join us for an illustrated lecture with Professor Salima Hashmi at the Art Gallery of Ontario’s Henry White Kinnear Education Theatre (317 Dundas Street West, Toronto) on Wednesday, July 24, 7pm. This is a ticketed event – $8 general public, free to SAVAC members. For lecture and membership information call SAVAC: 416-542-1661 or email info@savac.net.
The International Lecture Series is part of SAVAC’s focus on Pakistan, which also includes the Toronto presentation of the exhibition “Painting over the Lines: Five Contemporary Artists from Pakistan”. Artists Hamra Abbas, Sylvat Aziz, Rashid Rana, Ali Raza and Risham Syed offer new and critical ways to understand the complex cultural landscape of a nation in transition. Drawing on a wide range of sources and traditions, these artists bravely confront misconceptions, humourously question stereotypes and ask viewers to re-consider their understanding of Pakistan.
“Painting Over the Lines” has been organized by Karin Miller-Lewis and Mahnaz Fancy of the IndoCenter of Art & Culture, New York and is presented in Toronto by SAVAC. The exhibition runs from July 12 – September 15 at the York Quay Gallery, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto. Gallery hours: Tuesday to Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.; Wednesday till 8 p.m.; closed Monday except holiday Mondays, noon to 6 p.m. Info: 416-973-3000. Free.
SAVAC’s programming is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council and our membership. Professor Salima Hashmi’s lecture is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Ali A. Khan.
