Born in 1953, Abrar Ahmed is a self-made name in the world of fine arts. However, fame of this Karachi based artist is not limited to the borders of Pakistan but beyond. His unique artwork has received worldwide acknowledgment. Many leading art galleries in different corners of the world display paintings. His solid, bold and sharp colors with spontaneous strokes and skillful fine lines create unique art.
He is known among famous artists in Dubai because of his distinct painting style and his passion to create. His work carries a universe of emotions, thoughts, beliefs and romance Portraying human emotions need expert hands and a noble heart, and Abrar is a privileged painter in this regard. Most of his work is a stirring reflection of Gandhara-esque art and Indian miniature paintings.
Abrar celebrates the feminine beauty and well-recognized for his figurative drawings in addition to oil on canvas. Inspired by his native culture, he has crafted amazingly illustrative paintings of women who exhibit the flairs of dissatisfaction though almost all are adorned with jewelry-an emblem of affluent life. Very few male artists are out there who have portrayed deep socio-cultural malaise a woman has to face all through her life. And, Abrar is indeed one of them. His favorite mediums include:
• Oil on canvas
• Pen on paper
• Mixed media on canvas
He has participated in great many national and international art events enlisted below.
Solo Exhibitions:
• 2012 Ocean Art Gallery Karachi
• 2012 Ocean Art Gallery Lahore
• 2011 Nomad Art Gallery Islamabad
• 2008 Chawkandi Art Gallery Karachi
• 2008 Nomad Art Gallery, Islamabad
• 2007 Nomad Art Gallery, Islamabad
• 2007 Bagash Art Gallery, Dubai
• 2006 Nomad Art Gallery, Islamabad
• 2005 Ejaz Art Gallery, Lahore
• 2005 Unicon Art Gallery, Karachi
• 2005 Nomad Art Gallery, Islamabad
• 2004 Hamail Art Gallery, Lahore
• 2004 Nomad Art Gallery, Islamabad
• 2003 Clifton Art Gallery ,Karachi
• 2003 Nomad Art Gallery, Islamabad
• 2003 Ejaz Art Gallery, Lahore
• 2002 Clifton Art Gallery, Karachi
• 2002 Nomad art Gallery, Islamabad
• 2001 The Art Gallery, Karachi
• 2001 Nomad art Gallery, Islamabad
• 2000 Ejaz Art Gallery, Lahore
• 2000 Nomad art Gallery, Islamabad
• 2000 Majmua Art Gallery, Karachi
• 2000 Nomad Art Gallery, Islamabad
• 1998 Nomad Art Gallery, Islamabad
• 1997 P/C Art Gallery, Karachi
• 1996 V/M Art Gallery, Karachi
• 1994 Clifton Art Gallery
Selected Group Exhibitions:
• 2012 Mussawir Art Gallery Dubai
• 2007 “Winds Of Change”,at Gallery Pratidev London.
• 2007 Diva, New York, U.S.A
• 2006 Grand Hyatt Hotel, Dubai
• 2006 Fine Art Gallery, Hong Kong
• 2006 Bangash Art Gallery, Dubai
• 2006 “Transcending Borders”, At ITC Mourya Shereton Dehli, India
• 2006 Hotel Crown Plaza, Dubai
• 2005 Hotel Crown Plaza, Dubai
• 2000 French Alliance, Singapore
Joint Ventures:
• 2007 Light Gallery, London (with Jamal Ahmed, Bangladesh)
Art enthusiasts living in the UAE can view his paintings available at cross borders art. Using traditional techniques, he has incredibly stylized every feature of women’s body in his paintings. He picked jewels, birds, musical instruments and moon as supporting element to craft a figurative masterpiece. His paintings in Dubai are a true revival of conventional miniature paintings and dated techniques that add flavor of spontaneity- one of the reasons for his global fame.