"Art is an intimate expression of the creator's soul and expresses the unique experience of individual artist", said Rabia Zuberi, a famous sculptor, painter, art educationist and founder Principal Karachi School of Art - one of the leading art institutions of our country.
During my visit to her studios I became impressed. She has designed her studios herself where the sculpture section was separated from painting section and every work of art was placed with great love and care. She has been working on a series of paintings to be exhibited in a solo show later this year. She still works long hours and find solace in her art.
Going through ups and downs of life Rabia Zuberi became Pakistan's first woman sculptor, a credit she often brushes aside out of modesty. Her life and art go hand in hand together. Through devotion and determination, she had achieved both aims of her life - to excel in art and to promote art education. And in recognition of her achievements as an artist to promote art and also bring awareness to society regarding women she has been recently awarded "Wonder Women of the Year Award".
Rabia Zuberi is an institution in her self. Her works - sculptures, paintings and drawings - reflects her philosophy of love, tolerance and confidence. Her sculptures and paintings are the essence of her soul. Her ideas and feelings have taken concrete shape in the form of sculptures and paintings.
She inducts modern ideas in which simplification of form fully expressed her creative powers. Most of her recent works show desires of human beings such as love and affection. The delicacy of texture, rhythmic beauty of posture, continuity of line and weight along with strength, grace and beauty of human figure are distinguishing qualities of Rabia's work.
She had worked at carving in India, where wood was plentiful, but in Pakistan she focused on molding methods. Under her creative hands, forms came into existence. Reclining, seated, standing, lone and group figures appeared in various structures in her work.
After acquiring Bachelors Degree in Art from Lucknow School of Art Rabia Zuberi arrived in the city of lights she made plans for promoting art activities in Karachi, and thus made a beginning with the Karachi School of Art. She confidently used her abilities in promoting art in the country. And with the passage of time Rabia's mature work echoed through the art circle. She responded to the uncertainties and realities of life. Her sculptures details show her wider observations of life around her.
In spite of heavy responsibilities that the Karachi School of Art entailed she continued her own artistic endeavours.
In 1972, Rabia mounted an exhibition of her work at the Indus Gallery, Karachi which was well received and led to commissioned work. She made three life-sized pieces in concrete for a leading industrial organisation and two life-sized pieces for the President's House and a 20-foot high sculpture in iron and fiberglass for the Pakistan Navy mounted at Zamzama, Clifton.
Rabia was energized by commitment and continued to work hard. An element of design is a strong feature of her work. She creates rhythm in the flow of the figure without disturbing the simplicity of the form. I observe that her works as a sculptor reflect her thoughts on the world around her.
She is a socially conscious artist, who is acutely aware of the happenings around her especially the tragedies - her thematic works were appreciated globally. Her series of work titled, 'Dupatta', 'Labour', 'Quest for peace' and 'Human existence', were much acclaimed.
Her 'Dupatta' series of work was about the tradition of the dupatta or veil which is recognised as a vital aspect of female identity in our culture. The series was also supported by drawings, paintings and collage.
In 1988 another series 'Quest for Peace' included free standing forms, friezes and reliefs fashioned from bronze, bronze fibre and copper, based on the violence erupted in Karachi in late 80s and early 90s.
The labour series appeared with same characteristics with its individuals and groups of figures, the homage to the dignity of labour, strength, grace and beauty of human figure. The eminent element of Expression "Human Figure" remains there to have deep interaction with design as an element of sculpture, resulting in deep cut decorated surfaces. These are some of her best works which support my observation.
Rabia Zuberi's works of art - sculptures, paintings and drawings, adore different galleries at home and abroad and in private collection. She has many awards and appreciation to her credit since her academic days, including lifetime Achievement Award for her struggle and contribution to develop art in the city of Karachi other awards to her credit are:
-- President's Award for Pride of Performance 2009
-- Life Time Achievement Award at the 8th National Exhibition 2003.
-- National Award in Sculpture at 7th National Exhibition 1996.
-- Participated in a number of group and solo exhibitions held in Pakistan and abroad between 1964 and 1988.
-- Second Prize in Sculpture at theBanneil held at Lahore in 1988.
-- Second Prize in Sculpture from National Council of Art, Islamabad in 1987.
-- Second Prize in Sculpture from National Council of Art, Islamabad in 1986.
-- First Prize in Sculpture at all India Youth Festival in 1963, held in New Delhi.
-- First Prize in Sculpture at all India Women Exhibition in 1962, held in Calcutta.
-- Second Prize in Sculpture at all India Youth Festival in 1961, held in New Delhi.
-- First Prize in Sculpture at all India Youth Festival in 1960, held in New Delhi.nadeemzuberi71@gmail.com
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