Promoting Saraiki culture: When the sky is the limit

Multan-based photographer Ali Ameer hopes to promote Saraiki culture.

MULTAN:

Working as an art director and conceptual fashion photographer while studying graphic design at Multan College of Arts, Ali Ameer had never thought that 10 of his photographs would become famous after being featured in the ‘500  highest rated Images’ by the World Photography Organisation (WPO).

One of Ameer’s pictures was even included in the selection of the top 10 photographs. Following this, he was sent an invitation by the WPO for the World Photography Festival in April, 2011.

In his photography, Ameer tries to encapsulate everything from fine arts, fashion, portraiture, youth culture, history and emotions. In a tete-a-tete with The Express Tribune, Multan-based Ameer says his dream is to represent his country in an artistic way and aims to change the perception of Pakistan: “I want the world to see the beauty of my Saraiki region.”

Inborn passion

“To me, photography was instinctive — it was hibernating at first; eventually waking up and becoming my profession. Fortunately, it didn’t lie dormant for long,” says the artist. “I believe that a photograph is not merely an instant documented that is close to reality, instead it is more of a dream encapsulated in a single frame. Just as a poet adopts a word-approach to portray drama and emotions, a photographer reflects his interpretation of a subject in the photographs he takes.”

In Ameer’s images, one will find a devotion to the beauty of shapes. The photographic techniques result in lush, translucent images that are both raw and sensual. Ameer’s images embody an emotional presence with a focus on line, shape and expression. With his inspirations deeply rooted in his culture, the results are modern images that are nonetheless timeless. “Mostly my photography reflects my personality. I experiment a lot to create something new,” adds the artist who is a big fan of photographers Hugh Thompson from Kabul (settled in Canada) and Usman Jamshed from Lahore.

In an attempt to bring the arts and culture of Pakistan to the forefront, Ameer worked on capturing the layman’s work on blue pottery — a traditional craft of Multan. Deeply moved by how hard the workers in the Arts and Craft Bazaar in Multan work, Ameer believes it is time they receive the much needed recognition and respect that they deserve. Hence he was bent upon capturing and promoting not only their effort, but also their heritage and culture.

Future plans

Ameer, also the founder and president of Multan Fashion and Design Council, says he always wanted the Saraiki region to have its own identity in the field of fashion. “I want to promote fashion in the Saraiki region by becoming the fashion ambassador of the region.” Part of his plan is to provide upcoming designers, photographers, models and actors a platform to give them a chance to participate on, both, the national and international levels.

In an effort to promote talent as well as the culture of Punjab, a series of fashion shows were organised by the Multan Fashion Council in different cities of Southern Punjab earlier this year. It can be safely said that it’s due to Ameer’s efforts that Multan, following the footsteps of the other metropolitan cities such as Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi, has joined the fashion bandwagon.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2011.