10 walls of Karachi go green for Independence Day

Artists Saeed Channa and Ibrahim paint similar art in different locations

KARACHI: While political parties blasted their songs on loud stereo systems by setting up a camp on every other road as a means of Independence Day celebrations, Abdoz Arts worked on murals in 10 different locations of Karachi.

During the marathon that kicked off on August 7, Karachi University (KU) visual studies students Saeed Channa and Muhammad Ibrahim, painted 10 murals in the city. Graffiti artist Faizan alias Rebel also painted a wall of the audio visual centre in KU as part of this marathon. All the walls include a hashtag that reads 'I dream of a Pakistan'.



Below this prominent hashtag is space left for a message. These spaces will be filled in with messages that users of Kaymu.pk and Abdoz Arts Facebook page fans suggest. Ten best messages will be selected and etched across the artworks on August 14.

Apart from KU, murals have been painted near Hassan Square, North Nazimabad, Nipa Flyover, Sir Syed University, Do Talwar and Kashmir Road among others.

Read: Karachi artists reclaim city walls from hate graffiti

"We kicked off with this marathon from KU and completed all 10 walls in four days," said Abdoz founder Humble Tariq. "It was great working on this project as it reawakened our patriotic spirit. Moreover, our message is ever-lasting."

According to Abdoz co-founder Umer Asim, the non-profit art company has always had special reverence for the motherland, which has been evident in their artworks. "We are patriotic people who love their country," he told The Express Tribune. "We aim to promote messages of peace and patriotism."

Asim described how, while working on a wall near Nipa Flyover, he saw a camp set up on the opposite side by some political party that was blasting loud music. "For them, playing their political songs is a means of celebration," he said. "But celebrating independence with art, in our opinion, is far more thought-provoking, inspirational and aesthetically pleasing."

According to Ibrahim, the political graffiti spewed across the walls of Karachi is irksome. "You see political messages written on every other wall," he said. "I feel good after having worked on the 10 walls as I have played my part in the Independence Day celebrations."

Similarly, Abdoz operations director Wahaj Ali Khan talked about the productivity of the artworks. "The main purpose of doing this graffiti was to promote the notion of patriotism and reawaken our lost identity," he said. "At a time when we have been divided in different sects, it is the need of the hour to spread the word of love for the country." He added that Abdoz Arts is doing that through art.

Read: Political graffiti appears on beautified Karachi walls

"Abdoz Arts completes its journey of one year on August 14 as we conducted our first wall art activity on this day last year," said Asim. "Last year, we painted walls in North Nazimabad, reflecting our belief in the prosperity of our country. This time, we are taking a step ahead and talking about what kind of a Pakistan we, as Pakistanis, dream of. We hope to get good response."

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2015.