One of the leading masters of figurative art, Mashkoor Raza was born in1948, Moradabad India. In 1972, he bagged gold medal for Diploma in Fine Art from K.S.A. Not only figurative, he is an expert of distorted art and abstraction. After winning Pride of Performance in 2007, his market value boosted a lot. Today, his unique artwork is available at numerous art galleries in different parts of the world.

The best thing about his paintings is the soothing effect that brings a feeling of relaxation to viewers, though he usually uses bright colors and sharp strokes. There is no denying that Raza is a real gem that not only shines through its features but also appears with an appealing aesthetic sense.

Raza took figurative art to new extremes. The time when painters were rushing after feminine beauty, Raza decided to get-up-and-go on a different course of painting God-made creations using oil and acrylic on canvas as key mediums. Though he also painted women, but theme usually revolves around horses.         

 “ART IS MY LIFE. My concept is about horses and different things made by God”, he mentioned.  

A painter’s life is generally assessed by the accolades at his record and the number of exhibitions he participated. Mashkoor Raza is indeed that one artist with great many successes in his record. A noteworthy factor in his career is his yearly held solo exhibits both at home and in foreign countries.

Perhaps there are no other famous artists in Dubai or anywhere who appears with solo shows that frequently. Here is the list of his exhibitions and awards.

Awards:
1985 2nd Prize, National Exhibition by Idara-e-Saqafat-e-Pakistan.
2007 Pride of Performance.

Exhibitions:
1980 Solo Show at Indus Gallery, Karachi.
1981 National Exhibitions by Idara Saqafat-e-Pakistan, Islamabad
1982 Solo Show at Pakistan Art Council Karachi.
1983 Solo Show at Gallery II, Karachi.
1984 Solo Show at Shakir Ali Museum, Lahore.
1985 Solo Show at Indus Gallery Karachi.
1986 Solo Show, Idara Saqafat-e-Pakistan.
1987 Solo Show at Sheraton Art Gallery.
1988 Solo Show at Gallery Chowkandi Art Gallery Kaeachi.
1991 Solo Show at Gallery Chowkandi Art Gallery Karachi.
1992 Solo Show at Art Gallery, Islamabad.
1993 Solo Show at Clifton Art Gallery Karachi.
1994 Solo Show at Indus Art Gallery Karachi.
1995 Solo Show at Artwala Gallery.
1996 Solo Show at Clifton Art Gallery Karachi.
1997 Solo Show at Momart Gallery Karachi.
1998 Solo Show at Clifton Art Gallery Karachi.
2000 Solo Show at Croweaters Gallery Lahore.
2001 Solo Show at Art Gallery Islamabad.
2002 Solo Show St Clifton Art Gallery Karachi.
2003 Solo Show at Nomad Art Islamabad.
2004 Solo Show at Alliance Francaise Karachi.
2004 Solo Show at Croweaters Gallery Lahore.
2005 Two Man Show at Native Art Gallery Lahore.
2005 Solo Show at Gul mohar Gallery Karachi.
2006 Solo Show at Hong kong.
2006 Solo Show at Delhi India.
2007 Solo Show at Dubai.
2007 Solo Show at U.S.A.
2007 Solo Show at Native Art Gallery Lahore.
2008 Solo Show at Tanzara Art Gallery Lahore.
2008 Solo Show at Collectors Galleria Lahore.
2009 Solo Show at Nomad Art Islamabad.
2010 Solo Show at Nomad Art Islamabad.
2011 Solo Show at Tanzara Art Gallery Islamabad.

In addition to exhibitions enlisted above, Raza has also participated in several national & international group shows held in Bahrain, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Iran, Izmir, London, Malaysia, U.S.A and West Germany. Currently, he is gearing up to display his paintings at World Art Dubai 2016 through the platform of Cross Borders Art Gallery in Dubai.

There is always a central object in Raza’s figurative paintings, mostly horses with remarkable potential to attract viewers’ attention. In his career, Raza also painted calligraphy, but avoided to illustrate Arabic alphabets in the conventional manner. He fused calligraphic work with distorted art to create an exquisite mood and harmony. See yourself at Cross Borders Art – one of the best places to buy Mashkoor Raza Paintings and artwork of many other artists.