PLAY: Subversive Contemporary Art in Pakistan and the Diaspora

Pakistani artists at the turn of the twenty-first century explored Pakistan's contemporary society and identity by embracing its visual languages and political, social, and cultural history. They examined and expressed the complicated nature of Pakistani national and cultural identities through playful contemporary artwork, challenging artistic and societal traditions while upholding their significance.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 17 October 2022
Publisher: OUP Pakistan

At the dawn of the twenty-first century, a burgeoning cohort of Pakistani artists ventured into the realm of visual languages, political, social, and cultural history, seeking to unravel the complex tapestry of Pakistan's contemporary society and identity. The outcome of this dynamic fusion was a body of work that challenged artistic and societal conventions, while simultaneously preserving their profound significance. Artists, through their creative endeavors, delved into the intricate nature of Pakistani national and cultural identities, exploring the most pressing concerns of society. Rather than merely presenting these critical issues, they engaged in playful exploration, manipulating and subverting traditional narratives and conventions. This captivating contemporary artwork forms the focal point of this book, situated within the broader context of art practices in Pakistan, pedagogical methodologies at art schools within the nation, and the profound impact of historical events and social processes such as colonialism, the partition of India and Pakistan, and globalization.

At the turn of the twenty-first century, a growing number of Pakistani artists embraced the nation's perceived visual languages and political, social, and cultural history to interrogate and unpack Pakistan's contemporary society and identity. The fruits of this shifting and mixing were works of art that turned artistic and societal traditions, from miniature painting to matrimonial rites, on their sides even as they upheld their significance. Through their works, artists examined and expressed the complicated nature of Pakistani national and cultural identities by looking at the societ ys most volatile concerns. The artists did not simply present these critical issues; they played with them. It is this playful contemporary artwork that this book analyses within a context of art practices in Pakistan, pedagogical methods at art schools in the nation, and the impact of larger historical events and social processes: colonialism, the partition of India and Pakistan, and globalization.

Weight: 356g
Dimension: 242 x 182 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780199408665