The former residence of globally celebrated painter and calligrapher Ismail Gulgee has been transformed into a museum, showcasing over 170 of his artworks to preserve his artistic legacy.
The two-storey museum - located in the post Clifton area — is a proof of Gulgee's contributions to the world of Islamic calligraphy, abstract art, portraiture, and sculpture. The museum is divided into 17 thematic sections, each offering a unique perspective on Guljee's vast body of work. Information on the walls is complemented by Urdu translations accessible through QR codes, along with video interviews of Gulgee himself.
Gulgee's son, Amin Gulgee, led the project of turning the house into museum in accordance with the wishes of his late parents. The museum not only houses rare works but also gives insight into the artist's creative journey, from the 1950s through to 2007.
Gulgee is particularly renowned for his revival of Mughal-era pichwaii art, which involves assembling small, unpainted pieces of glass and precious stones to form intricate designs. Ismail Gulgee was also a trailblazer in the technique of painting with dots, inspired by the vastness of the sky and the mysteries of galaxies. This innovation became a hallmark of his style and earned him international acclaim.
Guljee's works were exhibited globally, with presentations to world leaders, including French President Charles de Gaulle in the 1960s and Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in the 1990s.
During the Islamic summit of 1974, Gulgee created special paintings to promote unity among Muslim nations, including portraits of several global leaders, such as King Faisal, the Shah of Iran, and former US presidents Jimmy Carter and George Bush.
One of the key pieces on display is the Kalima Sharif, a calligraphic work in gold that was created by Gulgee in the 1970s. This iconic piece now occupies a central position in the museum.
Amin Gulgee, who dedicated two years to establishing the museum, collaborated closely with architect Samina Injarwala to bring this vision to life. The museum also houses personal artifacts of the artist, including brushes, his painting table, and materials that he used in his work. One of the museum's highlights is a painting made from lapis lazuli stones, depicting polo players, which stands as a centerpiece in one of the rooms.
The museum is a fitting tribute to an artist whose work transcended traditional boundaries. His use of colour and form, especially his later adoption of pink in the 1980s-a colour that became especially popular in Japan-helped elevate his profile internationally.
Amin Gulgee stated that his father, while painting portraits of kings and world leaders, was always driven by emotion and expression rather than words. The museum offers visitors a chance to engage deeply with Gulgee's artistic exploration of the universe, where dots, colour, and form converge to create a visual language that continues to captivate.
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