New platform 'Art On' to promote Pakistani artists in Australia

New company will help local talent to exhibit, sell their work abroad

KARACHI: Sydney-based Pakistani artist Shahid Malik and writer/poet Ashraf Shad have come together to form 'Art On', a company to promote struggling Pakistani artists in Australia. At the launch event held at Beach Luxury Hotel on December 8, the two introduced the company and shared their aim for it with the audience, comprising of artists, art critics and media.

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Shad said the company would mediate the art dealership. "We want to take local art and artists to Australia and other neighbouring countries," he said. "We want to exhibit and help them sell their work there."



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The plan, according to Shad, is to hold two or three exhibitions per year. He talked about inviting artist Riaz Rafi earlier this year, with the help of Pakistan embassy there, to do truck art. "Under the Art On banner, we shall have our presence online but we also intend to buy paintings from artists here," he said, adding that as they had strong connections in Australia and hadn't been involved in Pakistani art scene, the local artists could help them connect and bring together more artists, so they can promote them under their banner.

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Malik, keeping it short, said the idea is to help the struggling artists, and they intend to expand the horizons soon and bring together artists from more South Asian countries, such as Nepal and India, etc.

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He also mentioned another aspect of the company. "One plan is that if artists register themselves with Art On, at any time of need, if they lack finances for medical issues, we will fully try to support them."



As this was merely the launch, Art On doesn't have the procedure and criteria to invite and select artists yet. It will be set in the next few months as things are put into motion.

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While the local art scene may only boast of a select few big names so far, Art On will provide a platform to artists who might be the next big thing.

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