Ahsan Jamal
Ahsan Jamal (b. 1975) received a BFA in Miniature Painting from the National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore, Pakistan, in 2003. Jamal’s contemplative studio practice examines the genre of portrait painting within the discipline of Indo-Persian miniature painting. His work considers the concept of anthropomorphism through dark, satirical socio-political and religious undertones. By constantly experimenting with materials and techniques, Jamal incorporates the idea of upcycling, integrating discarded materials and imported waste into his artwork. This approach has helped him develop a distinctive style of painting, where humans and animals often interact with inanimate objects, surrounded by atmospheric light, vignettes, and dream-like landscapes.
Jamal has exhibited works in eight solo exhibitions and numerous curated group exhibitions all over the world in museums and galleries, such as Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Japan; Artink Gallery, Singapore; Lawrie Shabibi, Dubai, UAE; British Council London, UK; Cartwright Hall Bradford, Green Cardamom Project, London, UK; Ilkley Manor House, UK; HNTB Gallery, Washington, USA; Queen’s Palace Bagh-e-Babur, Kabul, Afghanistan; Twelve Gates Gallery, Philadelphia, USA; Aicon Gallery, New York, USA; Galleria Gomiero Milano, Italy; Gallery Patricia Dorfmann, Paris, France; Gallery Alexis Renard, Paris, France; Art Alive, New Delhi, India; Tokyo Gallery + BTAP, Buenos Aires, Argentina; SPAN Galleries, Melbourne, Australia, National Museum of Art, Islamabad, Pakistan, Mohatta Palace Museum; V M Art Gallery, Koel Art Gallery; Chawkandi Art and Canvas Gallery all in Karachi, Pakistan. Jamal has participated in the Brussels Oriental Art Fair 09 and ART PARIS 09.
In 2004, Jamal participated in Khoj International Artists’ Association Residency, New Delhi, India, where he traced and reflected on the aftermath of the 1947 Partition of the sub-continent. His research and work surveyed similarities and differences between the people of India and Pakistan. In 2011, he participated in Vasl Regional Artists’ Residency, organised in collaboration with The Citizens Archive of Pakistan, investigating the Civil War, Partition, nationhood and geographical and religious conflicts within South Asian nations.
As an art educator, he has taught and conducted workshops of miniature painting and drawings in various art institutions across Pakistan, namely National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore, Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, and Department of Visual Studies at Karachi University, Karachi. Jamal’s artwork can be found in the permanent collection of the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum in Japan as well as in numerous private collections around the world.
Ahsan Jamal lives and works in Lahore.