Shades of brown: Timeless artwork on the wood

Forty-three rare pieces of Irshad Baig’s woodwork being exhibited at RAC.

The Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) organised a wood lay exhibition of the late Khalifa Irshad Baig’s work on Tuesday, said a press release issued by RAC. The tribute to the artist’s great work was inaugurated by former Punjab Assembly member Raja Muhammad Hanif and RAC Resident Director Waqar Ahmed on Tuesday. The exhibition, featuring 43 rare pieces, will be open to the public till May 31. 

Baig was an internationally renowned artist whose unique flair for wood in all its shades and types ensured the survival of this particular art style.



He was a pioneer of the piece-wood work in which he used no artificial colours but selected only natural shades of wood.

Addressing the inauguration, Hanif said that Baig was a master artisan who will be remembered whenever the subject of wood lay art is discussed. Hanif revealed that Baig had once presented a portrait to former Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif which he appreciated tremendously. He vowed to make all efforts to financially assist Baig’s bereaved widow and children.

Praising Baig’s rare talent, Ahmed remarked, “He was an asset to the nation whose contribution will be cherished for times to come”.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th, 2013.