LAHORE: Dast-i-Tah-i-Sang, a retrospective exhibition by veteran artist and former principal of the National College of Arts (NCA), Salima Hashmi, opened at the Como Museum on Monday.
Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Division Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, Federal Secretary Asad Rehman Gilani, andDirector General of the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) Ayoub Jamali visited the exhibition.
The visitors appreciated the efforts of the private museum in hosting the retrospective and praised the overall presentation, layout and facilities of the space. During their visit, they discussed with the artist and curator Asad Hayee the need to upgrade facilities at the National Gallery in Islamabad, prioritise conservation of artworks in the national collection and engage profes-sionalstoexpandoutreachprogrammes.
As per Salima Hashmi, when Faiz Ahmed Faiz was asked by his wife Alys to explain the meaning of Dast-iTah-i-Sang, he told her it was a line from the poet Ghalib and the literal translation was ‘Hand under the stone’. He explained that he had used the phrase because he thought the stone represented an individual’s personal ideology and beliefs not any particular religious or political affiliation that they cannot ‘removetheir hand’ from if they truly valued it. He said this was a heavy responsibility that could not be abnegated, and his own ‘stone’ was humanism.
Salima Hashmi said the explanation left a lasting impression on her.
The exhibition features more than 100 artworks spanning from the 1960s to the present day. Several pieces have been borrowed from public and private collections, while archival material from the artist’s studio offers insight into the ideasand processes behind her diverse practice, which includes visual arts, theatre and liberal arts.
‘Art should be committed. It should attempt to reveal facets of the truth and it should always be moving forward. It shouldn’t attempt to revive the past, but there should be an awareness of the past. And it should be full of humanism and a desire to enrich the lives of people,’ Salima Hashmi said.
The exhibition will continue till Jan 31, 2027.