A Pakistani scholar and lecturer from the University of Peshawar has been honored at the opening ceremony of the 16th International Exhibition of Traditional Fine Arts in Shanghai. The event, held in Beijing, features artworks from 38 countries and regions, highlighting the preservation and innovation of traditional art in the digital age through diverse mediums such as painting, ceramics, embroidery, enamel, lacquer art, sculpture, and digital art.
Recognition for Hira Ali
The recipient, Ms. Hira Ali, is currently pursuing her PhD in artistic theory at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, Shanghai University. She described the experience as "very surreal." "Local and international artists here were growing side by side," she remarked, adding, "You can show your talent and abilities on various platforms, creating a welcoming and encouraging environment."
Calligraphic Fusion
Her recent calligraphic series, on display at the China Academy of Arts in Hangzhou, blends the vibrant colors of Shanghai's urban landscape with the flowing script of traditional Pakistani and Urdu calligraphy. This creates a visual dialogue between Chinese aesthetics and South Asian heritage on a single canvas. "This is how I experiment with techniques and themes, combining Chinese traditions, Chinese culture, and contemporary environments with elements of my Pakistani traditional calligraphy," she explained.
Notable Artworks
Another work, titled "Chinese Tradition," depicts a traditional Chinese pagoda reimagined through Mughal miniature painting. The piece captures architectural grace while layering patterns from Pakistan's artistic history. Her creative range includes Chinese flower paintings on Xuan paper, lacquer works on wood and pegboxes, mother-of-pearl inlays, eggshell lacquer pieces, architectural drawings in pencil colors, and acrylic paintings on canvas.
Previous Projects
Ms. Hira has worked with the United States Consulate General in Peshawar on projects highlighting Pakistan's colorful truck culture. She also contributed to documenting and preserving the heritage of Buddhist Gandhara in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Her piece "My Favorite Scene on Campus" received recognition as well.
Research and Future Goals
Her artistic practice is rooted in research on Chinese lacquer art, a craft with millennia of history in China but declining in Pakistan. She has studied in Fuzhou, Fujian province, a hub for traditional lacquer art. She is working with her supervisor to establish a lacquer art association in Pakistan, aiming to integrate her experiences into Pakistan’s academic landscape and revive interest in the art form. "I hope that the diversity of arts in China reaches every corner of the world," she said.
In related news, Lahore police have unveiled a comprehensive security plan for 458 processions during Muharram.
