Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, highlighted the role of art in shaping global perceptions of Pakistan, calling it a “powerful tool of soft power” during a visit to a renowned art exhibition by Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi in Dubai.
The exhibition, titled Vanishing Points, concluded on April 20 after running for a week at Concrete, a contemporary art venue in Alserkal Avenue, as part of Alserkal Art Week. Curated by Nada Raza, Director of the Alserkal Arts Foundation, the exhibition showcased a wide array of Qureshi’s latest work—including photography, video, painting, and a site-specific installation—that reflects the visual dynamism and complexity of South Asian urban life.
“Imran Qureshi’s art vividly transforms Pakistan’s day-to-day life into breathtaking visual narratives,” said Ambassador Tirmizi. “Through his lens, the bustling streets, Sufi shrines, and architectural heritage come alive, arousing a deep sense of connection. His depiction of a Sufi tomb with Qawwali in the background is particularly mesmerizing and emotionally powerful.”
Tirmizi praised the exhibition for offering a meaningful reflection on Pakistan’s cultural richness and said initiatives like these could promote cross-cultural understanding. He emphasized that art can act as a bridge between nations and vowed continued support for cultural collaborations in the UAE, especially with platforms such as Alserkal Avenue that champion diversity in the arts.
Imran Qureshi, who has been awarded both Pakistan’s Sitara-i-Imtiaz and France’s Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, is internationally celebrated for his innovative fusion of classical Indo-Persian miniature painting techniques with contemporary themes. His works are featured in leading institutions such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Qureshi is also one of ten Pakistani artists whose works are being featured in Art Dubai this year, reflecting Pakistan’s expanding footprint in the global contemporary art scene.
