Pakistani art (Urdu: {{Nastaliq|پاکستانی فن) has a long tradition and history. It consists of a variety of art forms, including painting, sculpture, calligraphy, pottery, and textile arts such as woven silk. It shares features with Indian subcontinental art.[1]
After independence in 1947, there were only two major art schools in Pakistan - the Mayo School of Art and the Department of Fine Arts at the Punjab University.[2] Early pioneers of Pakistani art include Abdur Rahman Chughtai who painted with Mughal and Islamic styles, and Ahmed Parvez who was among the early modernists of Pakistan.[3]
In the 1960s and 1970s, calligraphic styles emerged in Pakistan, with notable artists being Iqbal Geoffrey and Sadequain. The Karachi School of Art, the first art institution in Karachi, was founded in 1964 by Rabia Zuberi.[4]
In the 21st century, graffiti started becoming popular in Pakistan, with the emergence of artists such as Sanki King,[5] [6] and Asim Butt. The latter also spearheaded Stuckism in Pakistan.[7]
See also: List of museums in Pakistan. Major art galleries in Pakistan include the National Art Gallery in Islamabad.[8] The Lahore Museum is known for its extensive collection of Buddhist art from the ancient Indo-Greek and Gandhara kingdoms, as well as from the Mughal, Sikh, and British empires.
See also: List of Pakistani artists. Here is a list of some of Pakistan's famous artists: