Unicorn Gallery
Unicorn Gallery is an art gallery in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
Unicorn Gallery was set up in 2004. Unicorn Gallery was inaugurated by the Governor of the State Bank, Dr Ishrat Husain. The day of its launch Unicorn gallery displayed art by Sadequain, Ahmed Parvez, Bashir Mirza, Gulgee and others, however, three paintings by the Southeast Asian Master artist Abdur Rahman Chughtai, two of which were catalogued, titled Princess in the desert and Dancing girl, managed to create quite a hype in the city (Karachi) and establish Unicorn's name as a mainstream gallery. Abdur Rahman Chughtai, the deceased Master won wide acclaim for painting the love sonnets of the renowned poet Mirza Ghalib and philosopher/writer Sir Muhammad Iqbal. Chughtai belonged to the Bengal School of Art and painted many historical themes.
Since 2004, Unicorn has exhibited Pakistani Masters as well as Contemporary artists works internationally, including in [ Unicorn Gallery also has a large collection of sculptures, prints as well as semi-precious jewellery.
In 2006, Unicorn Gallery displayed a 9 by 6 foot mural by the Master artist Sadequain, titled 'Aftaab-e-Taaza' the painting featured poetry from philosopher Allama Iqbal. This piece is currently on display at the Mohatta Palace Museum in Karachi, former home of Fatima Jinnah.
Another prominent piece that was displayed at Unicorn was a large Sadequain mural titled 'Bol' illustrating the verses of Faiz Ahmed Faiz (poet).
Unicorn Gallery is known to have sold the largest Shakir Ali (1916–1975) (former professor, NCA) painting created, on board, with the famous verses of Mirza Ghalib 'Naqsh-e-Faryaadi'. The image of this painting is featured on 4/ rupees stamp.
Unicorn Gallery was founded by Seemah Niaz, art collector/critic.
The gallery has held many memorable exhibitions including group shows for charity organisations, socially conscious event 'Green', a tribute to the late Master artist Jameel Ahmed, titled 'The Forgotten Master'. Two artist show featuring the paintings of Tassaduq Sohail (Pakistani naive painter) and the Indian Contemporary artist Owais Husain (filmmaker, son of legendary Indian Master M.F. Husain), as well as a rare art feast where the art works of all major landscapes and seascapes painters were on display in the retrospective "The Golden Collection 1947-2010" including the works of Zainul Abedin and other rare East-Pakistani painters.
In January 2009 Unicorn Gallery opened a branch in Dubai, by the name of Unicorn Space. The gallery is located in Barsha and exhibited modern miniatures from South-East Asia for the gallery's first exhibition.
See also
External links
- Official website
- Dailytimes.com information
- Jang.com 2005 information
- Jang.com 2006 information
- Dailytimes.com information