Bashir Mirza was one of Pakistan’s most energetic and visionary modern artists. Born in Amritsar in British India, he migrated to Pakistan after the Partition and later emerged as a leading voice in the country’s contemporary art movement. He graduated from the National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore, in 1962 and quickly became known for his fearless experimentation, distinctive artistic personality and commitment to social and human concerns. Over the course of his career, Mirza’s work moved through several distinct yet interconnected phases. In the 1960s, he achieved early recognition with his iconic ‘Lonely Girl’ series. These haunting portraits of solitary women, rendered in soft tones and simplified forms, explored themes...