Jimmy Engineer to hold series of paintings exhibitions in Lahore

Well-known Karachi based social worker, peace crusader and artist Jimmy Engineer has announced to hold a series of exhibitions in Lahore soon to exhibit his paintings that would tell people what was the real art. "I have started working on the plan and collecting my paintings to put on display for art lovers of Lahore", he told a select group of senior journalists at a luncheon he hosted for them at a local hotel on Friday.
Jimmy said he was born in 1954 but from his early age he started dreaming of the tragic incidents that took place during the Independence Movement. He saw bloodshed and sacrifices and hardships faced by the Muslims during the course of creation of Pakistan in his dreams and that spurred him to express what he visualised through his paintings.
His canvasses on 1947 holocaust depict in graphic details, the sufferings, bloodshed and sacrifices of Muslims that finally led to creation of Pakistan.
"I have created various paintings on Pakistan movement that are a source of inspiration for every Pakistani, especially for our new generation," Jimmy said. He said he was committed to work for Pakistan without indulging in politics. "I hate politics and believe in painting the inspirations of people", he said.
He added he had the credit to introduce walk culture in the country and taking the deprived, oppressed and disabled children to five star hotels to entertain them was a rare example in the world history.
About his future plans, Jimmy said he was leaving for US soon and on his return would tour India and Bangladesh to hold shows for handicapped children on the pattern he held in Sri Lanka and other countries.
According to Jimmy, there was universality and variety in his artwork as what he had done was the reflection of his inner self and feelings. He said he had painted a variety of themes, and had done landscape, still-life, cultural paintings, religious paintings, seascapes, calligraphy, philosophy of colours, miniatures, abstract, historical paintings, painting on war and self-portraits etc.
Jimmy, who had won a number of national and international awards in recognition of his work, said he believed in originality and universality in art. In 1989, he won National Endorsement Award of US that had never been awarded to any Pakistani artist before. He was selected for award among the 72 artists from 68 countries.
To a question Jimmy said he believed public applause was the only criteria to adjudge an artist's work. He said he was great admirer and fan of Sadqain, Chughtai and Shakir.