Photographer shapes “Destiny”

Shelley Pirzada explores Karachi in an exhibition that opens today.

KARACHI: “Photography is an art, an activity, a school of thought and its commercial viability had slowed its artistic growth. It has become a primary form of art in galleries worldwide and has also developed well in Pakistan.”

This, however, in photographer Shelley Pirzada’s eyes, is not enough. Pirzada was born in India and studied commercial art and photojournalism in London before moving to Karachi, where she has been living for the last 22 years.

For her, life in Karachi is an experience that never grows dull, which is what she wanted to capture in her exhibition, titled “Destiny”, that goes on display today (Saturday) between 5 pm and 8 pm at the Chawkandi Art gallery.

“This exhibition is a collection of my images taken in Karachi. To photograph a city from so many different artistic angles, so full of life, was very exciting and motivating, even though it has been trying at times due to restrictions that hinder the freedom of women photographers,” said Pirzada. “It is wonderful, however, to be able to look at photography from a broader perspective and develop it beyond just news reportage and commercial work.”

Pirzada feels that her photographs portray “an aesthetic and artistic image of the city and intend to show that there is more to Karachi than what meets the eye”. The show will continue till December 8.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2010.