‘Selling fake Sadequain paintings must stop’

Activists say practice is a disgrace to the name of the artist

KARACHI: The business of selling fake pieces of art by acclaimed artist Sadequain must stop as it has rapidly increased in the past few years, urged members of civil society.

A few big names are involved in such wrong practices, including members of the artist’s family, they claimed at a press conference titled 'Sadequain Fake Calligraphies and Paintings' held at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi on Wednesday.

On the occasion, a comparative exhibition of Sadequain's fake and original prints was also held.

"This has been a disgrace to the name of an artist with international repute," said the nephew of the world renowned artist best known for his skills as a calligrapher and painter, Sultan Ahmed.



He said that Sadequain never sold his paintings during his lifetime as he dedicated his entire artwork to the masses. The majority of artists with good reputations have been copied, including Sadequain, added Ahmed. He remarked that in his 90% of his work, Sadequain never signed his paintings.

There are paintings produced in the artist’s name that he never painted, said Ahmed. The Sadequain Foundation has been established in the United States, which has been researching his original work.

President of the Arts Council, Ahmed Shah said, "Sadequian has painted more after his death then in his life". He said the practice of selling fake pieces in his name must stop. "Through his art pieces he could have earned millions but he never did this," said Shah

According to him, the government should make a law so that legal action can be taken against those involved in the corrupt practice of selling fake art pieces.

The civil society members constituted a committee headed by Rasheed A Rizvi for legal action against all those involved.