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    Promoting Art with Satrang


    Posted on: February 18, 2014 |

    Director Satrang Gallery Asma Rashid Khan

    Pakistani art and culture are in dire need of being projected to the world. Aziz Boolani, the CEO of Serena Hotel in Islamabad has responded on his part to this by having dedicated a small section in the of the hotel to serve as a gallery, Satrang (Seven Colors).

    Satrang Gallery Team (Schezre Syed, Asma Rashid, Dhoufishan Raza)
    Satrang Gallery Team (Schezre Syed, Asma Rashid, Dhoufishan Raza)

    While the open space the gallery is located in may have its disadvantages, it has the benefit of attracting the attention of passersby who might not have bothered to especially visit an art gallery. Placing the work in a prominent location that is difficult to ignore is a clever way of showcasing budding artists without a special invitation.

    The gallery’s curator is Zahrah Khan, an artist in her own right. Having done her BA in International Relations and Fine Arts from the University of Pennsylvania, it was her minor that went on to define her career. Her work experience as an intern at the Philadelphia Museum of Art must have played a role in her striking that chord with the Serena personnel who wanted to have a Gallery established on the hotel premises. Zahra, however, is currently working in the US as a Gallery Assistant for Ronald Feldman Fine Arts New York. In the physical absence of the curator, it is Zahra’s mother, Asma Rashid Khan, the founding Director of Satrang Gallery, who handles arrangements for art displays at the gallery.

    “We all brainstorm together. Zahrah remains totally engaged with each exhibition. It is our collective wisdom which eventually translates in to putting up an exhibition. In this digital age it has all become quite easy,” says the director.

    Satrang Gallery also provides an opportunity to two young, budding artists to work with the Gallery for a year-long internship. “It is a great platform for these young graduates from Art Schools to learn from their senior counterparts, who have already established themselves”, says Asma. The talented duo working with Satrang at present is Dhoufishan Raza and Schezre Syed. Dhoufishan has already done her MPhil from the College of Arts and Design, University of the Punjab and is currently working towards her PhD; Schezre Syed is a graduate from NCA (Rawalpindi).Both of them recently got theopportunity to have their works displayed along some recognized names, including Mughees Raza, for the exhibition called, “As We Roll Along From Morning Till Night”.

    “It is very generous on the part of the senior artists to have their works put on with the junior ones”, says Asma. “The seniors draw in the clientele and other visitors, and this gives exposure to the younger ones who would otherwise have had a hard time getting space in a gallery”.

    When the Gallery opened first, it had been somewhat difficult to attract big names in art for putting their works on display. But things have changed now, with artists now more than eager to get the space, and stalwarts in the field reaching out to Satrang themselves. The Gallery boasts of back to back exhibitions, currently displaying the works of renowned sculptor Imran Hunzai, who has come with a highly original concept, using electronic gadgets as a medium to explain his concept of gadgets and electronic devices becoming larger than life. His exhibition is called “Body Extensions”.

    Artwork 'Body Extensions' by Imran Hunzai
    Artwork 'Body Extensions' by Imran Hunzai

    Satarang Gallery also arranged an art competition last year, and plans to have another one this year. “When students are motivated to unleash their creativity, great works pour forth” says Asma. “And our purpose is to celebrate our heritage through promoting art and craft. Art can change perceptions and we need to use our young artists to change people’s perceptions about Pakistan and its rich cultural heritage”.

    Satrang Gallery is a thorough believer in having art documented. “This is one of our main objectives” says Asma. “We take great pains to have all art catalogued; we keep track of the artwork, and we provide every buyer a letter of authenticity to nurture genuine art.”

    Pakistan may have its ills; every country has its own. But it would be remiss to not recognize the deep appreciation Pakistanis hold for art.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021