Beaconhouse National University (BNU)

Aiman Gillani is a Contemporary Fibre Artist based in Lahore. She graduated with distinction in Master of Art and Design Studies from Beaconhouse National University (BNU).

Her diverse creative practice has led to exhibitions at prestigious events such as Sharjah Biennale 2019 and Focal Point with Vasl Artists’ Association. In 2021, she served as a UNESCO Trainer, collaborating on a project with the Pakistan Tourism Department, Pakistan Small Industries, and Pakistan Arts Council.

Gillani's works are part of permanent collections at Ambiance Dubai and Wusaq Lahore. She was an official nominee for the Jameel Art Prize 2020 and won the ADA Award 3rd Iteration 2022-23.

Currently, she is a Lecturer at Beaconhouse National University and recently exhibited at Bikaner House in New Delhi at Rehang, showcasing as one of the emerging South Asian Contemporary Fibre Artists. She also participated in exhibitions at Lahore Museum (Becoming the Museum) and Lahore Fort Royal Kitchen as Assistant Curator for Simultaneity as Design; Pakistan & Beyond at Design Summit.

• MA Art & Design Studies (Distinction, UNESCO-UMISAA Scholar), Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts and Design, Beaconhouse National University (BNU), Lahore
• BFA Textile Design & Fibre Studies (Distinction, Dean’s Honor List, 50% Scholarship), Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts and Design, Beaconhouse National University (BNU), Lahore

Professional Experience

• Lecturer, Textile, Fashion & Jewelry Dept., Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts and Design, Beaconhouse National University (BNU), Lahore (Aug 2022 – Present)
• Teaching Associate, Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts and Design, Beaconhouse National University (BNU), Lahore (Aug 2022 – Present)
• LUMS, Lahore – Art Instructor (Summer 2019)
• Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore – Marketing Coordinator (2017 – 2018)
• MACAN, Lahore – Marketing Manager (2017)
• Fahad Hussayn Couture, Lahore – PR Manager & Design Assistant (2015 – 2017)
• Various Internships – Textile Design, Interiors, Visual Merchandising, PR

Entrepreneurial & Freelance Experience

• Founder, Forethought Events & PR (2019 – Present)
• Jameel Arts Centre – Visitor Experience Coordinator (2022)
• PFDC, HUM Network, Shaan-e-Pakistan – Freelance Event Manager (2014 – 2016)

• ADA Awards 2023 – Winner, 3D & Interdisciplinary Art
• Jameel Art Prize 6 – Shortlisted (Top 10)
• Distinction on Thesis Projects – MA & BFA at BNU
• UNESCO-UMISAA Scholarship Recipient

• South Asian Art Exhibition – Siddhartha Art Gallery (2024)
• The Atlas of Elsewhere – Curated by Risham Syed & Aarish Sardar (2024)
• Unity in Flux – Ejaz Art Gallery (2024)
• Design Summit 01 – Assistant Curator (2024)
• Retrospective: Fibre & Textile Expressions (2023)
• Be(Coming) The Museum – Projection Mapping Animation (2023)

• Retrospective Textile & Fibre Impressions – Project ‘Maa Boli,’ Published June 2024, Diva Portal in collaboration with University of Borås
• Re-Configuring the Drawls and Tangs of History (May 2023) – Exhibition Review by Aarish Sardar, The Karachi Collective: Critical Dialogue on Art, Design & Culture
• Be(Coming) The Museum (Jan 2023) – BNU MD-SVAD Exhibition coverage in The News
• From Intention to Intervention – Article by Quddus Mirza, The News on Sunday (Feb 12, 2023)
• ADA Awards 3rd Iteration 2022-23 – Research Project Publication (Feb 2023), ADA ICONICA 63rd Edition (Winner Category: 3D & Interdisciplinary Art)
• National Conference on Textile, National College of Arts (Feb 2021) – Accepted Abstract (Conference postponed due to COVID-19) Paper: Textualizing Weave to Study Pattern as Context
• 3rd SAARC Young Entrepreneurs Summit (Feb 2014) – Youth Asian Century, Collaboration with Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (LCCI)
• SPIC MACY 2nd International Convention (June 2014) – Tamil Nadu, India (Volunteer & Delegate from Pakistan)

• Retrospective Publication (May 2024) – Project Conceptualizer: Kiran Khan & Faseeh Saleem, ISBN NO: 978-91-89833-50-0 (pdf)
• Book Visuals – Dr. Tariq Rehman (Upcoming Project) (June 2022) – Assisted in English translation of Diwan-e-Ghalib (Springer Nature)
• Project: Local Design History (May–June 2021) – Collaborative project with Prof. Bianca Koczn (HTW Berlin) & Ms. Rohma Khan (BNU) on decolonizing design
• Project: Social Act – Karva Craft X BNU (May–June 2020) – Collaboration between BNU Textile Dept. & Kaarvan Crafts to support craftswomen during COVID-19
• Project: Digital Reflective Practice (DRP) & Creativity in Textile Design (Nov 2020) – Research participation in Fibre Revisited for PhD thesis by Umer Hameed (University of Liverpool, UK)

• Email Address: aimangillani.bnu@gmail.com