Ijaz ul Hassan
Encyclopedia
Prof. Mian Ijaz ul Hassan is a Pakistan
i painter. He studied at Aitchison College
and later read English for his master’s degree at Government College Lahore and St. John’s College, Cambridge. He studied painting at the Fine Arts Department of Punjab University
and St. Martin’s School of Art, London. Ijaz is recipient of the President’s award for Pride of Performance
, the highest Pakistani award in the field of art.
’s outstanding artists and a leader of a group of painters who identify themselves with their surroundings. His work of the seventies established a new trend in Pakistan Paintings. In the early period, he employed popular images clipped from print media, posters and cinema hoardings. Later, these were used to express larger social concerns. Ijaz not merely painted, but lived the times for which he was on several occasions apprehended and incarcerated. Many of the works of the period were censored and removed from exhibitions. Canvas Gallery Karachi
recently held a retrospective show declassifying some of the works that have remained concealed from public view.
Ijaz ul Hassan was first arrested in Naukhar Kissan Conference in 1976 along with about 50 teachers and students. The Kissan Conference was organized by The Professors Group( A left - wing Marxist,Leninist and Maoist Group of Lahore). Ijaz ul Hassan was an activist in this group. One of the images established was that of a window through which you look from lonely confinement to sunny prospects. This image he evolved peering through the bars of his cell in which he was incarcerated at Naukhar.In 1977 during Gen. Zia ul Haq's Martial Law, Ijaz ul Hassan was one of the first activists to be arrested and put in solitary confinement at the infamous Lahore Fort
. During this period, when every form of dissent was crushed, Ijaz tried to have his thoughts and feelings known to the viewers with images and symbols; many derived from nature.
He also invented a series based in a vine girdling a tree. The entwining vine conveyed the feeling of togetherness and fulfilment. In a different vein, his painting flaunting lilies express manifold ideas and feelings ranging from pain to joy.
Ijaz ul hassan takes special pleasure in painting trees that have matured and acquired striking individual identity. Most of these images symbolize human struggle and growth. He also takes pain to record the phenomenon of life and death; things coming into being and others perishing into oblivion; sombre prospects being suddenly invaded by sun shine, silhouetted leaves ignited and dark lilies set ablaze by stray rays if light; a Laburnum transforming from spectre of death to spectacle of life and so on. Ijaz is thrilled to draw strength from the regenerating force of nature – where an axe falls on a limb, several shoots must grow next season.
Ijaz ul Hassan is presently with PPP. Ijaz ul Hassan writes regularly for national newspapers and international journals. He is author of Painting in Pakistan, published in 1990. He has had seven solo exhibitions, but in the course of almost five decades he has produced an extensive body of work including large murals.
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
i painter. He studied at Aitchison College
Aitchison College
Aitchison College, Lahore, is one of the most prestigious educational institutions of its kind in South Asia. Established in 1886, it has retained its character over the years, maintaining the public school tradition of providing an education that uses academics, sports and co-curricular activities...
and later read English for his master’s degree at Government College Lahore and St. John’s College, Cambridge. He studied painting at the Fine Arts Department of Punjab University
University of the Punjab
University of the Punjab , colloquially known as Punjab University, is located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The University of the Punjab is the oldest and biggest University of Pakistan. The University of the Punjab was formally established with the convening of the first meeting of its...
and St. Martin’s School of Art, London. Ijaz is recipient of the President’s award for Pride of Performance
Pride of Performance
Pride of Performance , is one of the highest civil award given and conferred by the Pakistan Government to Pakistan's citizens in recognition of distinguished merit in the fields of Literature, Arts, Sports, Medicines, and Science for civilians in most particular cases.The announcement of civil...
, the highest Pakistani award in the field of art.
Art career
Ijaz ul Hassan is one of PakistanPakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
’s outstanding artists and a leader of a group of painters who identify themselves with their surroundings. His work of the seventies established a new trend in Pakistan Paintings. In the early period, he employed popular images clipped from print media, posters and cinema hoardings. Later, these were used to express larger social concerns. Ijaz not merely painted, but lived the times for which he was on several occasions apprehended and incarcerated. Many of the works of the period were censored and removed from exhibitions. Canvas Gallery Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
recently held a retrospective show declassifying some of the works that have remained concealed from public view.
Ijaz ul Hassan was first arrested in Naukhar Kissan Conference in 1976 along with about 50 teachers and students. The Kissan Conference was organized by The Professors Group( A left - wing Marxist,Leninist and Maoist Group of Lahore). Ijaz ul Hassan was an activist in this group. One of the images established was that of a window through which you look from lonely confinement to sunny prospects. This image he evolved peering through the bars of his cell in which he was incarcerated at Naukhar.In 1977 during Gen. Zia ul Haq's Martial Law, Ijaz ul Hassan was one of the first activists to be arrested and put in solitary confinement at the infamous Lahore Fort
Lahore Fort
The Lahore Fort, locally referred to as Shahi Qila is citadel of the city of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It is located in the northwestern corner of the Walled City of Lahore...
. During this period, when every form of dissent was crushed, Ijaz tried to have his thoughts and feelings known to the viewers with images and symbols; many derived from nature.
He also invented a series based in a vine girdling a tree. The entwining vine conveyed the feeling of togetherness and fulfilment. In a different vein, his painting flaunting lilies express manifold ideas and feelings ranging from pain to joy.
Ijaz ul hassan takes special pleasure in painting trees that have matured and acquired striking individual identity. Most of these images symbolize human struggle and growth. He also takes pain to record the phenomenon of life and death; things coming into being and others perishing into oblivion; sombre prospects being suddenly invaded by sun shine, silhouetted leaves ignited and dark lilies set ablaze by stray rays if light; a Laburnum transforming from spectre of death to spectacle of life and so on. Ijaz is thrilled to draw strength from the regenerating force of nature – where an axe falls on a limb, several shoots must grow next season.
Ijaz ul Hassan is presently with PPP. Ijaz ul Hassan writes regularly for national newspapers and international journals. He is author of Painting in Pakistan, published in 1990. He has had seven solo exhibitions, but in the course of almost five decades he has produced an extensive body of work including large murals.