We wish our esteemed readers a very Happy 2025! This year we forsee the Artworld bringing exciting new narratives and creative milestones. On behalf
We wish our esteemed readers a very Happy 2025! This year we forsee the Artworld bringing exciting new narratives and creative milestones. On behalf of the ArtNow team, I extend warm wishes to our readers, contributors, and artists for a triumphant year filled with inspiration. Happy New Year!
This year holds immense promise for the art community, particularly in Karachi, which continues to establish itself as a vibrant hub of creativity and cultural discourse. Reflecting on 2024, we celebrate a year marked by groundbreaking exhibitions and transformative art movements that challenged norms and expanded artistic horizons.
Among the highlights was the Lahore Biennale’s conclusion, with John Tain’s thought-provoking curatorship sparking vital dialogues on pressing global and local issues. The Karachi Biennale, under the visionary leadership of Waheeda Baloch, promises to build on this momentum later in 2025, exploring themes of art, memory, and innovation.
Internationally, Zarmeene Shah’s curatorial work at the Doha Museum elevated Pakistani art to new heights, showcasing its profound global relevance. Her efforts and those of her team have gained worldwide attention, with Manzar becoming a topic of critical acclaim.
Closer to home, the remarkable contributions of Niilofur Farrukh and Qudsia Rahim have played a pivotal role in shaping the art scene for generations to come. Meanwhile, artists like Adeela Suleman and Naiza Khan continue to create impactful work, fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration. These trailblazing women exemplify strength and dedication, nurturing a thriving artistic community.
ArtNow has also evolved to bring our audience closer to art visionaries through live video interviews featuring voices like Qudsia Rahim, Niilofur Farrukh, and John Tain. These intimate conversations, coupled with our dynamic presence on social media, celebrate the multifaceted nature of art while amplifying the voices of our creative community.
Karachi’s art galleries—such as Chawkandi Art, Canvas Gallery, Koel Gallery, VM Art Gallery, ArtChowk, Full Circle Gallery, Sanat Initiative, Vasl Artists Associatio and Mainframe Gallery— and Lahore art galleries like O Art Space, Ejaz Art Gallery, Numaish Gah and articulate studios deserve recognition for their role as spaces of experimentation and expression. These platforms are essential for emerging artists, encouraging the younger generation to pursue art as a viable career.
As ArtNow Pakistan completes 15 years of championing contemporary art and providing a platform for critical engagement, we take immense pride in our journey. Over the years, we have become a trusted voice in the art world, bridging gaps, fostering dialogue, and amplifying the creative expressions of our community.
This milestone would not have been possible without the invaluable contributions of our writers and contributors, whose insightful and thought-provoking writings have made this magazine a resounding success. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of them for their dedication and creativity.
We also take this opportunity to congratulate Tauqeer Mohajir and the recipients of the prestigious Nigaah Awards, who were recognized at an impressive ceremony in Karachi at the close of 2024. Their achievements continue to inspire and uplift the art community, setting new benchmarks for excellence.
I want to take this moment to deeply appreciate all my colleagues, past and present, who have been part of this journey—especially Quddus Mirza and Maheen Aziz, whose dedication and vision have been instrumental in our growth. To the writers, art critics, and interns who have contributed their creativity and hard work along the way: thank you for your invaluable role in making ArtNow a trusted voice in the art world.
This celebration belongs to all of you, and we look forward to continuing this shared mission of supporting and documenting the evolving art landscape together.
Here’s to a year of inspiration, innovation, and artful storytelling.
Bye for NOW!
