The book discusses the journey of Zafar Mahmood in the art world. The twenty five years of artistic life which Zafar Mahmood lives are well documented in this book. A self-taught artist Zafar has struggled and worked hard to become a recognised watercolour artist.
His love for art is a constant factor in his life, whenever he had spare time he enjoys painting. He had documented beautiful, often little known landscape throughout Sindh and highlighted the beauty of old buildings in Karachi. He used to paint outdoors while his family enjoyed picnic.
At home he has created a studio corner for himself and would often enjoy painting, still life, portraits from sketches, animals, birds and landscape. He has been drawing and colouring since childhood but could not join an institute as he desired because of certain responsibilities.
The book contains over hundred paintings of the artist in watercolour and oil thus invites readers to discover the beauties of Karachi and districts of Sindh. The paintings are captioned under various titles such as "Makli Graveyard', 'Portraits and Sketches', 'Karachi Fish Harbour', 'Fish Harbour Village', 'Malir', 'Flower Study', 'Historical/Ancient Buildings', 'Seascape and Coastal Areas', 'Out of Karachi', 'Still Life' and 'Birds and Animals'.
The eminent art critic, Marjorie Husain in the forward of the book writes, "The subject matter of Zafar Mahmood's paintings is sourced by the artist's love of his homeland. His efforts are to express with aesthetic understanding the urban and country landscapes and historic sites of Karachi, the interior and other towns of Sindh. Observing his work one is offered a view that reflects a society and cultures of times past and present".
Therefore, a journey from past to present is revealed in a beautiful manner in the book. Zafar Mahmood also works to promote watercolour in the country and in this regard he has published a book titled "Four Artists in watercolour" in 2002. The book was his contribution towards promoting and encouraging watercolour artists and was well received by the art lovers.
One of the series in the book 'Makli Graveyard' is undoubtedly the most detailed and keen work done by Zafar Mahmood. The portrayal of the world's oldest and largest graveyard near Thatta city was once a cradle of civilisation and Zafar has brought back that civilisation to life in his paintings. The beautifully constructed eternal homes of thousands of dead are brought to the city through Zafar's paintings. He also painted old and ancient buildings in Karachi which are a rich cultural heritage and must be preserved by the government for future generations but they are preserved in Zafar's paintings for the next generations.
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Book : "Twenty-five years of an
artist - Zafar Mahmood"
Compiled by : Ghalib Baqar
Publisher : Hamdard Press Pvt Limited
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