Introduction

Our Mission

Pakistan Art Chronicles is a landmark initiative dedicated to documenting, preserving and sharing the rich yet critically under represented heritage of visual art in Pakistan. From the ancient achievements of the Indus Valley Civilization and the centers of learning and Gandhara sculpture at Taxila, to the exquisitely executed miniature paintings and the vibrant art scenes that evolved through Mughal, Sikh, colonial and post colonial periods, this land has nurtured generations of remarkable artists. Yet much of the painting produced over the last seven to eight decades remains scattered, hidden in private or obscure locations, and largely inaccessible to students, scholars and the wider public. Because these works cannot be seen, they have not received the appreciation and recognition they deserve at home or abroad.

Pakistan Art Chronicles has been conceived to address this gap. Executed under the platform of the National Artists Association of Pakistan – an organization that for decades has provided a forum for artists through exhibitions, seminars and collective initiatives – the project aims to systematically collect, preserve and disseminate digital visual and written data on artists and artworks from across the country. Through surveys, personal contacts and archival research, Pakistan Art Chronicles is building a structured online resource that records artworks, artists’ biographies and historical context, placing Pakistani art within its proper cultural and intellectual framework.

In addition to images and primary documentation, Pakistan Art Chronicles has also gathered a substantial body of secondary material related to Pakistan’s cultural heritage. This includes books, scholarly articles, dissertations and other archival sources written by Pakistani scholars on the art, archaeology and architecture of Pakistan. By bringing together both the artworks and the extensive critical and historical writing around them, the project offers a comprehensive resource for understanding how visual culture in Pakistan has evolved, been received and interpreted over time.

A central goal of Pakistan Art Chronicles is to make this knowledge available to artists, students, researchers, academics and art lovers, both within Pakistan and internationally. Pakistan Art Chronicles aspires to create a lasting body of knowledge that future generations can study, expand and take pride in, ensuring that the story of art in Pakistan is preserved, researched and celebrated rather than lost.