… connecting external and internal time …
2025
Curatorr: Niilofur Farrukh
… connecting external and internal time …
2025
Curatorr: Niilofur Farrukh
The almost two hundred works were mainly borrowed from collectors and included paintings, prints, installations and video works highlighted the vibrant tapestry of themes and mediums explored by the artist from 1974 to 2025. During the show Meher Afroz also presented a new performative work in front of a live audience. Babar Sheikh was specially commissioned to create a first ever documentary on Meher Afroz which was screened during the show. The documentary based on interviews of the artist, primarily focused on her lived experiences and development of ideas that are integral to her oeuvre. To provide further context, a biographical presentation with photographs from Meher’s
exhibitions
The retrospective of Meher Afroz showcased almost 200 works created between 1974 and 2025.
Also included were recently created seven small paintings inspired by milestones in her journey as an artist.
Within the meticulously sutured layers, paper weaves and etched lines in her paintings , prints and installations can be found the labyrinths where Meher Afroz connects the breadth of continuum to the anxious present.
Exhibition view at Alliance Française Gallery, Karachi
Public Outreach
The extensive public programming of the retrospective included two discursive sessions, the first, a conversation between Niilofur Farrukh and Amra Ali that explored the relationship between Meher’s practice and the art history of Pakistan. The second, a panel discussion with Gertrude Jatoi, a major collector of Meher’s art, and Zohra Hussain, the founding director of Chawkandi Art Gallery, moderated by Niilofur Farrukh, underlined the significance of private collectors in the absence of art museums.
The almost daily curator’s walkthrough for art schools, universities and art enthusiasts was designed to help visitors engage deeper with Meher’s art and its context
Amra Ali and Niilofur Farrukh at at Alliance Française
Audience at Alliance Française
Niilofur Farrukh, Zohra Hussain and Gertrude Jatoi at Chawkhandi Gallery
Audience at Alliance Française
curator’s walkthrough
curator’s walkthrough
Documentary
The documentary ‘Khud Kalami’ (conversations with the self) screened at the retrospective was specifically commissioned for the show by Chawkandi Art Gallery. This first ever film dedicated to the artist, was based on a series of interviews in her atelier and the printmaking studio. Here she shared her particular process and spoke about the diverse inspirations that have been critical to her practice.
exhibition team
Exhibition team l to r – Haider Hussain, Syeda Mahrukh Batool, Niilofur Farrukh, Meher Afroz, Razin Rubin and Atka Hussain