ZULFIQAR ZULFI
(Born 1963)
Zulfiqar Zulfi was born in Dera Ghazi Khan. He is a realistic painter of landscapes and is known for his use of light in Punjab countryside scenery paintings. Zulfiqar Zulfi is a Design graduate from National College of Arts, Lahore in 1989. He has participated in a number of group exhibitions in Pakistan and abroad. His work features prominently in the following permanent collections: Governor House, Punjab Assembly, Administrative Staff College, National Institute of Public Administration, American Consulate, Lahore; Governor House, Nathia Gali; National Art Gallery, Islamabad; President House, Turkey.
“Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi is a painter of the landscape genre with two decades of painting to his credit. In Zulfi’s paintings it appears we are all observers. Often standing on the threshold of light. Almost grisaille in his approach to the media, he is a master of chiaroscuro, mornings are cloaked with mist, the tall trees dramatic, leafless silhouettes.”
He was born and had his early education at Dera Ghazi Khan and then left the town at a tender age. Zulfi, a keen observer of nature, noticed romance in mist and then he found soft light when the mist was washed away by winter rain. He felt the beauty of it and started painting the light. These were progressions on his canvas not by design but by a natural process. According to Marjorie Husain, “Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi is a painter of the landscape genre with two decades of painting to his credit. In Zulfi’s paintings it appears we are all observers. Often standing on the threshold of light. Almost grisaille in his approach to the media, he is a master of chiaroscuro, mornings are cloaked with mist, the tall trees dramatic, leafless silhouettes.” Noshi Qadir, the curator of gallery said that “Zulfi is a realist painter, but his paintings, be they landscapes or cityscapes are more than an imitation of what is seen. He has the magic of capturing the essence of the vignette that he replicates on canvas.”
Beyond realism, the artist understands his subject matter well. Zulfi’s imagery, she added, is idyllic and delightful - he is a master of capturing seasons and times of day- In his landscapes one actually fees the breeze and smells the grass- The foggy winter morning scenes are truly cold and the sunny landscapes warm and brilliant. The artist is the recipient of the Presidents Pride of Performance award. He has several solo and group shows to his credit and his paintings are in major collections home and abroad.