ASNA

Founded: 1998

Co-Founder: Niilofur Farrukh

ASNA

Founded: 1998

Co-Founder: Niilofur Farrukh

ASNA was founded in 1998 by Niilofur Farrukh along with acclaimed artist Meher Afroz and established textile designer Shanaz Siddiq. The mandate of this multi- disciplinary platform is to connect contemporary art practice with traditional crafts through exhibitions, seminars , workshops and documentation. It has worked with ceramists and kumbhars (potters), researchers and filmmakers to give visibility to craft wisdom, and build synergies between traditional and contemporary creative practices. The four iterations of The ASNA International Clay Triennial were pivotal in connecting global ceramic artists with their counterparts in Pakistan and creating opportunities for knowledge exchange. Artists’ engagement with techniques and diversity of claycrafts at the workshops and Kumbhar Mela open the mind to the possibilities of exchange. The public programming of school visits, talks and seminars helped to generate mainstream interest and awareness of traditional and contemporary ceramic practices. The name ASNA is inspired by the Urdu word asna which means a moment in time and conveys the urgency of reconnecting with lost cultural knowledge.
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exhibitions

Four iterations of ASNA International
Clay Triennial were held between 2000 and 2016. Each with its specific themes invited Ceramists from Pakistan and across the world to respond to it.

2ND ASNA INTERNATIONAL CLAY TRIENNIAL

3RD ASNA INTERNATIONAL CLAY TRIENNIAL

4TH ASNA INTERNATIONAL CLAY TRIENNIAL

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Mati ki sargoshi

The exhibition Mati ki Sargoshi with over 400 pieces, gave visibility to the living claycraft practices of Pakistan.

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Khumbar Mela

The Kumbhar Mela , a fair with traditional pottery was held during the Triennials . ASNA commissioned potters from all over Pakistan to create their wares for the event . This interaction between urban audiences and potters and their crafts, and the exposure of traditional potters to contemporary ceramics led to expanding the understanding of clay as a versatile medium with a long and persistent history.

4th ASNA, Khumbhar mela, Rangoonwala Hall

4TH ASNA, KHUMBHAR MELA, RANGOONWALA COMMUNITY CENTER

3rd ASNA, Khumbhar mela, Arts Council, Karachi

3rd ASNA, Khumbhar mela, Arts Council, Karachi

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Seminars

Each iteration of the ASNA International Clay Triennial had a two – day seminar in which artists and scholars were invited to give presentations on their practice and research.

Asma Ibrahim

Merran Esson

Panel discussion with speakers

Fauzia Minallah

Sevim Cizer

Workshops

Artists held demonstrations and workshops as a part the Triennial. Tariq Javed and Abira very generously lent their studio space.
Kumbhar demonstrated their repertoire of hand building techniques that have been in their community for generations.

Dr Ponimin

Abbas Akbari

Catherina Kajander

Craft Documentation

ASNA commissioned Aasim Akhtar to document craft pottery from major craft centers of Pakistan. He researched the step by step building and firing techniques. Nameera Ahmed was commissioned to create a documentary on the Kumbharwara ( Potter’s village) within Karachi. It was a step towards documenting this settlement threatened by urban development.

Working for Craft Policy

On 2004 Niilofur Farrukh presented a paper (on behalf of ASNA) on Conservation of Traditional Crafts of Sindh and its recommendations were included in the National Policy on Craft Preservation and Conservation.
In 2005 , Niilofur Farrukh was invited to present a paper at the UNESCO International Conference on Craft Heritage.

Corporate Intervention

ASNA shared its research with the corporate sector to create promotional material like calendars and diaries for complimentary distribution to inform and engage a wider audience.

Catalogue PDF