The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) has decided to establish a gallery at Delhi Gate for displaying the work of local artisans, The Express Tribune has learnt.
The House of Artisans will contain the work of metal workers, block printing, paper-making, painted pots, embroidery, tents, kite making, mosaic, stained glass, leather/tilla work, reliefs, bangles, meenakari and gota kinari.
Anum Orakzai, the WCLA arts and crafts assistant director, said Lahore had always been a great centre of handicrafts. “The city is home to a large number of skilled artisans, who produce all kinds of handicrafts,” she said.
Orakzai said that there was a need for a body to represent the artisans of the Walled City at the provincial as well as national level. “It (The House of Artisans) will serve to help them articulate their needs as well,” she said.
Zamirul Hassan, the media and marketing assistant director, said the decision would provide the artisans of the Walled City a continuous source of income. “It will also help preserve the rich heritage of the city’s handicrafts,” he said.
Media and Marketing deputy director Tania Qureshi said that the authority was trying to provide a platform to the city’s artisans.
“We will try to develop a relationship of trust with the artisans in order to understand the skill and passion that goes into each craft. This will enable us to select unique, modern and high-quality handcrafted products,” she said.
WCLA Marketing director Asif Zaheer said that the authority also planned to start a Crafts Bazaar at the Fort Road Food Street. “Our efforts will focus on improving the quality of the artisans’ life by fostering professional development, while promoting artisan crafts as a means of income generation,” he said.
Director General Kamran Lashari said, “Our mission is to provide the artisans of Walled City with proper opportunities to expand their businesses beyond the local markets.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 6th, 2014.
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