Written by: Mahnoor Fatima
Posted on: August 20, 2019 | 
| 中文
Composition of Pakistani Architecture
The Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) hosted an exhibition at the Aiwan-e-Sadar (Presidential Palace) on Saturday, 18th August, which honored Jimmy Engineer’s love for the Pakistani people. Its goal was to spread the message of peace and harmony Pakistan has to offer, not just to international audiences but to the people of Pakistan themselves. The guest of honor was the President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, along with the Minister of Heritage and Culture, Mr. Shafqat Mehmood, and Mr. Jamal Shah, the Director General of PNCA.
A proud servant of Pakistan, Engineer describes himself not just as an artist but also a social worker and philanthropist. Acutely aware of his social responsibility, he has donated much of the profits he earns from his paintings to charities, which work towards offering healthcare and basic utilities for rural people. Perhaps, he is best known for his historic walk throughout the country, visiting the smallest of villages to listen to the stories of the people there. His art showcases not only the breath of his travels, but also the care and affection he has for his beloved homeland.
The paintings themselves cover a range of places and techniques, from individual sketches of farmers to paintings of village life to calligraphy, and more abstract work. Particularly touching is the way he captures the stillness and the ruggedness of the village landscape. In other paintings, he focuses that same attentiveness on portraits of villagers and workers whose minute contortions are visible as they go through everyday hardships and happiness.
But his signature style paintings are the most captivating: a collection of almost-surreal architecture paintings showcasing Pakistani monuments in breathtaking detail. The buildings fit together as if they were jigsaw puzzles, always meant to be together, even if in reality they are miles apart. They invite the viewer to examine the intricate details, and recognize the monuments which they are most familiar with, and those which they revere the most.
Engineer explained that it takes months and years to figure out the exact placements of each building and motif with the other, and oftentimes he repeats and combines different emblems together. But he makes it a point to never repeat the same painting twice.
He often plays with size and shapes in order to create an orchestra for the eyes. The smallest details would take center stage, whilst the biggest monuments were made to stand in the background. And this is emblematic of how every Pakistani offers something unique to the whole of the country, regardless of their size or origins. Just like these tiny details, it is the smallest and most vulnerable segments of our society, which need the most support and attention for growth and recognition.
Although he identifies himself as a Zoroastrian, Engineer shows a deep love of Sufi architecture in his paintings. The rich blue color so familiar to our shrines, stands out amidst the earthy warm tones of the monuments. The paintings of the shrines, such as the Tomb of Rukhn-i-Alam in Multan, have a meditative quality, with repetitive motifs, detailed domes, and an attention to roundness so as to depict movement.
But his paintings are not just limited to Mughal, Islamic or regional art. He also carefully includes non-Muslim symbols like the Cross and the Starving Buddha. If one notices carefully, there are also international elements, such as Chinese palaces and Egyptian pyramids in the backgrounds of some paintings. This is perhaps meant to show the far reaching aesthetic connections Pakistani architecture has with the historic legacies of other countries.
Most of the paintings displayed at the exhibition were not originals but printed copies. This is because many of his paintings were sold, or donated all over the world. But there is another reason, one which may be more important. By printing out and properly framing otherwise expensive pieces, public spaces can introduce Pakistani art to the public so that they may enjoy, and be inspired by paintings to take art and culture seriously.
This is in line with Dr. Alvi’s desire to place Engineer’s and other artists’ pieces in public places and galleries. Art must be enjoyed by all, and Engineer’s art is important because it allows people to recognize themselves, and their culture, as a part of a wider whole. And only through that can they believe in the peace and harmony of their fellow countrymen with true conviction.
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