East meets West: Series of portraits highlight ancient racial connections

KARACHI: Internationally acclaimed artist Irfan Hasan exhibits his solo project in Karachi. His latest body of work is an East-West fusion in the truest sense of the word.

In his larger-than-life portraits, the Karachi-born artist has merged Western masters imagery with real Pakistanis who resemble characters portrayed by European painters.

Employing techniques of a traditional miniature from the East, Hassan has created an illusion of visuals similar to those of the old Western masters.

An alumni and faculty member of the prestigious National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore, with numerous local and international shows to his credit, Hassan says his recent works highlight racial origins and various connections between eastern and western civilisations of ancient times.

In this series of portraits titled 'The children of ambiguity', the artist draws attention to the races settled in areas like FATA, Swat, Chitral, Sind and Balochistan from centuries with features similar to the characters portrayed in the works of western painters of the past.

Displayed in a solo show at canvas gallery, Karachi, the exhibit will continue until September 29th.