Iqbal Hussain – Lahore’s controversial artist

6Feb/073

Iqbal Hussain – Lahore’s controversial artist

Iqbal Hussain from Lahore is one of the finest painters we have. Most of his paintings depict women from the Heera Mandi (literally the diamond market)- or the centuries old red-light district. I found the
above image on the Internet today. The news-item referred to Iqbal's advocacy through his powerful art works:

..Others, who have emerged as spokespersons for the women of Heera Mandi, including leading artist Iqbal Hussain, whose own mother was a sex worker, emphasise their â€œlack of empowerment, exploitation and helplessness.

His works convey all of these emotions and bring to life extraordinary characters who are often neglected or spurned by the hypocritical culture of Pakistan. (images on the right and below are from here).

More on Iqbal Hussain here.

Endnote from here:

Being termed a controversial painter in Pakistan, Iqbal's subjects sometimes tend to shock "puritan painters", but Iqbal follows his own visions and continues to paint his unconventional and radically innovative paintings. He enjoys a great reputation as an artist in the international art world. His paintings have been requested by Jordanian Princess Wijdan Ali for the Jordanian Gallery of Fine Arts. His were the only ones selected for Unesco Headquarters Prize in 1995, Paris. In 1998, one of his paintings was auctioned at the Sotheby's Auction House in London.

Tagged as: art, artist, brothel, Cocoos, Heera-Mandi, Iqbal-Hussain, Lahore, oil, old, painting, Pakistan, Pakistani Art, prostitutes, walled city Leave a comment

Comments (3) Trackbacks (4) ( subscribe to comments on this post )

the olive ream
February 6th, 2007 - 20:14

A pleasure reading this post. Very rarely does one get the chance to read a post on Pakistani contemporary art…or even just Pakistani art in general. The paintings are bold, sharp in colour and utterly-in-your face. They force you to a reality that most don’t acknowledge exists. I rather enjoy his work – for most it is disturbing, for me it is as real as one can get.

If I am not mistaken some of his work can be found at the Cooco’s Den (restaurant) in Lahore. I photographed Cooco’s Den when I was there just a month or so back. The painting you’ve highlighted I believe hangs in the foyer above the main door.
If you check out my photoblog, you’ll notice that painting.
http://overamile.blogspot.com/2007/01/coocos-den-lahore.html
HammerSickle
April 15th, 2007 - 18:43

it would be nice if biographical information about Iqbal Hussain are publised on Wikipedia
vidya rao
August 22nd, 2007 - 15:59

This work is wonderful!He has captured the pathos and the power of these women whom he has painted with so much empathy. What an incredible man he must be! Again, thank you for introducing me to his work.I wish he could have an exhibition of his works in India. perhaps he has laready brought his work here? He is just wonderful!