Niilofur Farrukh

Meet

Niilofur
Farrukh

This archive covers the narratives embedded in the micro history of the last four decades. With columns, articles, publications, curatorial projects and interventions it attempts to disentangle strands of recent history, post independence narratives and the mutations of colonialism through a discursive read more

LATEST UPDATES

The burden and lightness of
Artificial Intelligence

Niilofur Farrukh

27 JAN 2026

Living in the time of Censorship

Niilofur Farrukh

30 OCT 2025

Ahmed Parvez – The Burden of
Genius

Niilofur Farrukh

29 SEP 2025

The Power to Connect and
Reflect for Change

New article by Niilofur Farrukh for The Karachi Collective.

29 JUNE 2025

SECTIONS

Publications

Contributions

Books / Catalogues

Special Projects

Curatorial Projects

In Conversation

Writing Archives

Discursive Contributions

Resume

SECTIONS

Publications

Contributions

Books / Catalogues

Curatorial Projects

Special Projects

Writing Archives

In Conversation

Resume

Discursive Contributions

PUBLICATIONS

A Beautiful Despair

The Art and Life of Meher Afroz. Niilofur invites sixteen leading cultural thinkers of South Asia to contribute essays on the practice of one of the most significant artists of Pakistan.

2022

Pakistan’s Radioactive Decade

Pakistan’s Radioactive Decade - An informal Cultural History of the 1970s , the book with almost fifty interviews and texts by intergenerational writers, maps a decade remembered both for tragedy and cultural resurgence.

2019

Pioneering Perspectives

Pioneering Perspectives makes visible the seminal work of three Pakistani women artists to counter the disenfranchisement of women under the dictatorship of the 1980s.

1998

A Beautiful Despair

The Art and Life of Meher Afroz. Niilofur invites sixteen leading cultural thinkers of South Asia to contribute essays on the practice of one of the most significant artists of Pakistan.

2022

Pakistan’s Radioactive Decade

2019

Pioneering Perspectives

Pioneering Perspectives makes visible the seminal work of three Pakistani women artists to counter the disenfranchisement of women under the dictatorship of the 1980s.

1998

Contributions

Bashir Mirzä Acrylic Series 1989-1994

Niilofur text focuses on the artist’s Lonely Girl Series of the 1970s , a groundbreaking portrayal of the new woman of Pakistan

1996

Intersections of Contemporary Art, Anthropology and Art History in South Asia: Decoding Visual Worlds

Through case studies engaged equally in anthropology and visual studies, contributors examine art and artistic production in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal

2019

Sumaya Durrani

Niilofur essay in the monograph discusses the work through the lens of changing meaning of emblems and icons through time and experience.

2003

Gulgee Museum – The Handbook

‘Gulgee’s Modernism : Crafting a New Unity’ the article by Niilofur was published in the recently launched Gulgee Museum - The Handbook.

2025

Pakistan 50 Years

Pakistan 50 Years documents the collective achievement of the nation. Niilofur’s essay encapsulates the dynamic art history of Pakistan.

1997

Bashir Mirzä Acrylic Series 1989-1994

Niilofur text focuses on the artist’s Lonely Girl Series of the 1970s , a groundbreaking portrayal of the new woman of Pakistan

1996

Intersections of Contemporary Art, Anthropology and Art History in South Asia: Decoding Visual Worlds

Through case studies engaged equally in anthropology and visual studies, contributors examine art and artistic production in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal

2019

Sumaya Durrani

Niilofur essay in the monograph discusses the work through the lens of changing meaning of emblems and icons through time and experience.

2003

Gulgee Museum – The Handbook

‘Gulgee’s Modernism : Crafting a New Unity’ the article by Niilofur was published in the recently launched Gulgee Museum - The Handbook.

2025

Pakistan 50 Years

Pakistan 50 Years documents the collective achievement of the nation. Niilofur’s essay encapsulates the dynamic art history of Pakistan.

1997

Takhti

Niilofur as its curatorial lead , described the project as a moving caravan that brought together over 200 artists to pay tribute to the memory of Zahoorul Akhlaq, Pakistan ‘s major artist who became a victim of violent crime. The artists worked on the Takhti , the wooden tablet that was used by the late artist.

2001

Moving Ahead

The catalogue covered the sixteen exhibitions held for the inaugural of the National Art Gallery Islamabad.

2007

Artists’ Voices – Body, Exhibition

Text for the catalogue of the show curated by Amin Gulgee and Sheherebano Hussain. The show addressed the nation’s ambivalent relationship with the representation of the body/ figure in visual culture.

2006

Uraan Exhibition

Uraan (Flight) in this exhibition serves as an emblem of the spirit of change that imbued the creative mind in nascent Pakistan.

2002

Pakistan Another Vision, Exhibition

‘Painting miniature is like expressing yourself in Urdu’ Imran Qureshi , the leading miniaturist tells Niilofur.

2000

Artists Voices – Calligraphy, Exhibition

As calligraphy changed from a symbol of identity to a component of a subversive strategy , its assimilation in visual arts continues to evolve

2006

Who is Afraid of Theory?

Postcolonial Theory explains how the concept of a ‘subaltern culture ‘ was built on the false assumption that, as Edward Saeed puts it ‘ the East was not capable of composing their own narrative’.

2010

ArtFest Karachi

The article mapped the discursive sessions with artists, art critics and curators during the ArtFest Karachi.

2021

Cosmic Mambo

The article underlines how Amin Gulgee has been looking for the perfect balance between his formal sculptures and the spontaneous and asymmetrical creativity of his performative work, and impermanent installations.

2011

Kinetic Essence

The article maps the two distinct trajectories of the art practice of Amin Gulgee’s. His formal calligraphic sculpture and figurative iconography in metal and the experimental performances and installations that are time based and ephemeral.

2007

Naqsh bar Aab

In the interview , Meher Afroz discusses the metaphysical experience , which is central to the show. Also highlighted is her process of transforming symbols to convey the quest for spiritual truth.

2012

… connecting internal and external time ….

The catalogue has been especially designed by Sabiha Imani to preserve the visual memory of the show. All the four sections of the show are highlighted with a bilingual contextual note.

2025

Takhti

2001

Moving Ahead

The catalogue covered the sixteen exhibitions held for the inaugural of the National Art Gallery Islamabad.

2007

Artists’ Voices – Body, Exhibition

2006

Uraan Exhibition

Uraan (Flight) in this exhibition serves as an emblem of the spirit of change that imbued the creative mind in nascent Pakistan.

2002

Pakistan Another Vision, Exhibition

‘Painting miniature is like expressing yourself in Urdu’ Imran Qureshi , the leading miniaturist tells Niilofur.

2000

Artists Voices – Calligraphy, Exhibition

As calligraphy changed from a symbol of identity to a component of a subversive strategy , its assimilation in visual arts continues to evolve

2006

Who is Afraid of Theory?

2010

ArtFest Karachi

The article mapped the discursive sessions with artists, art critics and curators during the ArtFest Karachi.

2021

Cosmic Mambo

2011

Kinetic Essence

2007

Naqsh bar Aab

In the interview , Meher Afroz discusses the metaphysical experience , which is central to the show. Also highlighted is her process of transforming symbols to convey the quest for spiritual truth.

2012

… connecting internal and external time ….

The catalogue has been especially designed by Sabiha Imani to preserve the visual memory of the show. All the four sections of the show are highlighted with a bilingual contextual note.

2025

Curatorial Projects

.… connecting internal and external time ….

Meher Afroz connects internal and external time with visual weaves of memory and lived experience.

2025

Two person show

The works of Meher Afroz and Masuma Khawaja were showcased in a curated show at the Pakistan Pavillon, Ghent Fair, Belgium.

2015

Vitalized Verses

Vitalised Verses was a first ever major solo show of Simeen Farhat in Pakistan that showcased her experimental three dimensional work.

2010

Displacement Anxieties

Displacement Anxieties focuses on problematizing the notion of cultural homogeneity in the increasingly globalized environment.

2010

No honor in killing

This art intervention was dedicated to the memory of five women victims of so-called honor killing in Nasserabad , which shocked the nation.

2008 – 2010

Hasan Kuzagar Kay Naam

Hasan Kuzagar Kay Naam was one of the sixteen shows held to mark the inauguration of the National Art Gallery, Islamabad.

2007

Articulating the Subtext

In Art, the subtext sometimes acquires a greater significance than what appears superficially on the surface.

2007

Translucent rhythm

The show focused on the medium of watercolor to bring attention to the Watercolor Movement that was pioneered in the 1980s by the alumni of Karachi School of Art.

2000

.… connecting internal and external time ….

Meher Afroz connects internal and external time with visual weaves of memory and lived experience.

2025

Two person show

The works of Meher Afroz and Masuma Khawaja were showcased in a curated show at the Pakistan Pavillon, Ghent Fair, Belgium.

2015

Displacement Anxieties

Displacement Anxieties focuses on problematizing the notion of cultural homogeneity in the increasingly globalized environment.

2010

No honor in killing

This art intervention was dedicated to the memory of five women victims of so-called honor killing in Nasserabad , which shocked the nation.

2008 – 2010

Vitalized Verses

Vitalised Verses was a first ever major solo show of Simeen Farhat in Pakistan that showcased her experimental three dimensional work.

2010

Articulating the Subtext

In Art, the subtext sometimes acquires a greater significance than what appears superficially on the surface.

2007

Hasan Kuzagar Kay Naam

Hasan Kuzagar Kay Naam was one of the sixteen shows held to mark the inauguration of the National Art Gallery, Islamabad.

2007

Translucent rhythm

The show focused on the medium of watercolor to bring attention to the Watercolor Movement that was pioneered in the 1980s by the alumni of Karachi School of Art.

2000

The Radioactive Decade- the 70s Show

The “The Radioactive Decade, the 70s Show” is a multidisciplinary meditation on the cultural output of that pivotal decade in Pakistan’s history.

2016

Flags of Peace

The exhibition was a part of the peace initiative of Pakistan - India Forum for Peace and Democracy in 2003 at a time when tensions between the two countries had reached a new high with the real danger of war.

2003

Laal

The exhibition was a homage to the late artist Zahoor Ul Akhlaq, a prominent artist and art educator of Pakistan who spearheaded the study of Neo- Miniature at the National College of the Arts, Lahore.

2003

Dialogue with Tradition

Dialogue with Tradition, a show of textiles of Pakistan was organized by ASNA at the invitation of the Norwegian Design platform, Norsk Form, Oslo.

2002

Uraan

Uraan brought together 16 artists of different generations who practice explored self and nationhood.

2002

Takhti Show

2001

Matti ki Sargoshi

Matti ki Sargoshi was the first project of ASNA and its primary aim was to enhance an awareness of the living tradition of crafts.

1999

The Radioactive Decade- the 70s Show

The “The Radioactive Decade, the 70s Show” is a multidisciplinary meditation on the cultural output of that pivotal decade in Pakistan’s history.

2016

Flags of Peace

2003

Laal

2003

Dialogue with Tradition

Dialogue with Tradition, a show of textiles of Pakistan was organized by ASNA at the invitation of the Norwegian Design platform, Norsk Form, Oslo.

2002

Uraan

Uraan brought together 16 artists of different generations who practice explored self and nationhood.

2002

Takhti Show

2001

Matti ki Sargoshi

Matti ki Sargoshi was the first project of ASNA and its primary aim was to enhance an awareness of the living tradition of crafts.

1999

Kathmandu International Art Festival (KIAF)

In response to the theme of KIAF, Earth, Body, Soul, the artists from Pakistan, Nameera Ahmed...

2012

Fifth Tashkent Biennale

Biennale Theme: The Philosophy of the City: it’s anthropological landscape

2009

12th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh

Niilofur Farrukh was the Pakistan Commissioner to the third iteration of the Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh.

2006

ASNA International Clay Triennials

ASNA was founded in 1998 by Niilofur Farrukh along with acclaimed artist Meher Afroz and textile designer Shanaz Siddiq.

1998

Kathmandu International Art Festival (KIAF)

In response to the theme of KIAF, Earth, Body, Soul, the artists from Pakistan, Nameera Ahmed...

2012

Fifth Tashkent Biennale

Biennale Theme: The Philosophy of the City: it’s anthropological landscape

2009

12th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh

Niilofur Farrukh was the Pakistan Commissioner to the third iteration of the Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh.

2006

ASNA International Clay Triennials

ASNA was founded in 1998 by Niilofur Farrukh along with acclaimed artist Meher Afroz and textile designer Shanaz Siddiq.

1998

special projects

ASNA

Niilofur as one of the three founders of ASNA helped conceptualize and implement its vision. The mandate of the platform is to mainstream the linkages between contemporary art and traditional artisanal practices with exhibitions, dialogue, workshops and documentation.

2000-2016