Bridging Archival History, Contemporary Vision, and Academic Excellence
A double graduate of MDSVAD (BFA '17, MA '22) and Harvard Mittal Institute Fellow, Waleed Zafar seamlessly weaves photographic research with curatorial inquiry. Now Senior Lecturer at BNU, his journey from student to celebrated faculty highlights our commitment to cultivating interdisciplinary leaders who shape global cultural narratives.
MDSVADMariam Dawood School of Visual Arts & Design, BNU
From prestigious showcases at the India Art Fair to a Visiting Artist Fellowship at Harvard University, Waleed Zafar’s interdisciplinary practice explores the nuanced intersections of history and contemporary culture. As both an internationally exhibited visual artist and permanent Senior Lecturer at MDSVAD, he continuously bridges academic rigor with creative exploration, mentoring emerging talent while expanding the horizons of archival art.
MDSVAD News / Alumni Profile & Complete Career Record
Waleed Zafar is an interdisciplinary visual artist and curator based in Lahore, Pakistan. He holds a BFA in Visual Arts (2017) and an MA in Art and Design (2022) from Beaconhouse National University (BNU), Lahore.
Rooted in photographic and archival research, his practice delves into the intersections of history and contemporary culture. His work has been showcased both locally and internationally at prestigious art fairs and group exhibitions, including A River in an Ocean (a collateral of Lahore Biennale 01, Lahore), Surface 01 (Artbuzz Studios, Delhi), Pakistan at 100 (World Bank Office, Islamabad), Full Circle Gallery (Karachi, 2019), Islamabad Art Fair (2019), India Art Fair (2020–2024), and Vida Hydari Contemporary (Pune, 2024).
Beyond exhibitions, Waleed has participated in distinguished artist programs such as the Visiting Artist Fellowship (Spring 2024) at the Mittal Institute, Harvard University, and the New Narratives in Photography residency, a collaboration between the British Council, Grain Project, and TasweerGhar. Currently, he serves as a Lecturer at the Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts and Design (MDSVAD), BNU, where he mentors emerging artists while continuing to expand his research and creative practice.
Career Highlights
Academic & Institutional Leadership
Permanent Senior Lecturer at MDSVAD, Beaconhouse National University (BNU), actively mentoring emerging talent in visual arts and design.
Prestigious Fellowships & Residencies
Visiting Artist Fellow at Mittal Institute, Harvard University (2024), and participant in the New Narratives in Photography residency with British Council & Grain Project UK.
Global Exhibitions & Curatorial Research
Consistently exhibited across India Art Fair (2020–2024), COMO Museum, and Midlands Arts Centre UK; Manager of Curatorial Research & Writing for Design Summit Lahore 01.
Residencies & Projects
Key fellowships, managerial roles, research programs, and collaborative projects.
Year
Project / Fellowship
Organization / Partners
2024
Manager Curatorial Research & Writing
Design Summit Lahore 01
Visiting Artist Fellowship
Mittal Institute, Harvard University
2023–24
New Narratives in Photography Residency
Tasweerghar, Grain Project UK, Supported by British Council Pakistan
2022
Secret Histories Project (Artist)
The Pind Collective
2020
Online Photographic Exchange Program
British Council, Grain Project UK, Transforming Narrative, Tasweerghar
2017
ITU Designers in Residence
Arfa Technology Park, Lahore
2016
Editing Team, Video Content (Stories We Tell)
BNU, CKU, Lahore Biennale Foundation
We Walk Lahore
LBF Urbanities Project, Honi Ryan
Silent Dinner Party
LBF Urbanities Project, Honi Ryan
Curatorial Projects
Exhibitions curated and co-curated across art institutions and galleries.
Year
Exhibition / Project
Role & Venue
2024
Atlas of Elsewhere
Co-curator, Beaconhouse National University, Lahore
Between White and Green | Pakistan at 77
Curator, PNCA Shakir Ali Museum, Lahore
2023
Envision E Vision - Chronicles of Tomorrow
Assistant Curator, SOT x BNU, PNCA, Islamabad
4 Days - Lahore Design Festival x Micropom
Assistant Curator, Beaconhouse National University, Lahore
Perpetuating Perplexities
HAAM Gallery x MDSVAD BNU, Lahore
2022–23
The Body Displaced
Full Circle Gallery, Karachi
Be(coming) The Museum
Assistant Curator, BNU, CCAI, Lahore Museum
2020
Navigating Matter Act 2 - Maryam Rahman
The Last Word (Collateral Event of Lahore Biennale 02)
Exhibitions
A comprehensive list of solo and group exhibitions, international art fairs, and biennials.
Year
Exhibition Title
Venue & Location
2025
Domestic Provocations 02
Alhamra Arts Council, Lahore
2024
Atlas of Elsewhere
Beaconhouse National University, Lahore
Home and Other Strange Things
THAT Studio, Lahore
A Moment In Infinity
Vida Hyderi Contemporary, Pune
Dharti Dhar Dhar Dharkay Gi - Artist as Witness
Curated by Salima Hashmi, COMO Museum, Lahore
Simultaneity as Design: Pakistan and Beyond
Design Summit Lahore 01
Visiting Artist Fellowship Art Exhibition
Mittal Institute, Harvard University, Boston
New Narratives in Photography
Alhamra Arts Council, Lahore, Tasweerghar, Grain Projects, British Council
New Narratives in Photography
Midlands Art Center, Birmingham, Tasweerghar, Grain Projects, British Council
Indian Art Fair (Wonderwall Gallery)
Delhi
2023
Envision E-vision (Group Show)
PNCA, Islamabad
Once Upon a Time
HAAM Gallery, Lahore
Indian Art Fair (Wonderwall Gallery)
Delhi
2022
The Body Displaced (Group Show)
Full Circle Gallery, Karachi
Indian Art Fair (Wonderwall Gallery)
Delhi
MA Art and Design Thesis Show
Beaconhouse National University, Lahore
An Ode to the City (Group Show)
Muse Art Gallery, Lahore
2021
The Lens and The Pen (Group Show)
Tasweer Ghar, Lahore
Towards Home (Group Show)
Dominion Gallery, Lahore, Curated by Amna Suheyl
Thinking Around Corners
The Art Platform India, Curated by Bhavna Kakar & Renu Modi
2020
The Art Platform India
Online Exhibition
Museum of Scroll
Online Exhibition
Hindustan Times Art Fair (Wonderwall Gallery)
Delhi
Indian Art Fair (Wonderwall Gallery)
Delhi
Of The Moments (Group Show)
12.0 Contemporary Gallery, Islamabad
2019
Exit Strategy (Group Show)
Islamabad Art Fair (PNCA), Islamabad
Re-punctuated (Solo)
Full Circle Gallery, Karachi
Pakistan at 100
World Bank, Islamabad
2018
Urban Agglomeration
Myartworldpk, Islamabad
Surface 01 (Group Show)
Art Buzz Studio, Delhi
River in an Ocean - The Creative Process
Curated by Abdullah Qureshi & Natasha Malik, Collateral event of Lahore Biennale 1
Annual Emerging Artists Show
Myartworldpk, Curated by Zara Sajid
2017
BNU Thesis Degree Show
Beaconhouse National University, Lahore
Press & Publications
Critical features, interviews, press reviews, and institutional publications.
Waleed Zafar’s dual impact as a globally recognized artist-researcher and a dedicated educator embodies the true spirit of BNU—where academic depth and creative innovation inspire generations to interrogate the past and design the future.
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