Mr. Mehbub Shah MDSVAD - BNU

Mahbub Shah is a distinguished visual artist, curator, translator, and Associate Professor at the Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts and Design (MDSVAD), Beaconhouse National University, Lahore. His work explores the complexities of visual representation and the dynamic interplay between reality and imagination, making critical contributions to contemporary art and education.

With an MA in Art Education from Beaconhouse National University (2017) and a BFA from the National College of Arts, Lahore (2001), Shah has cultivated a strong academic foundation that informs both his practice and teaching. His dedication to arts education spans nearly two decades, having served as Associate Professor at MDSVAD, BNU (2008–Present). Additionally, he has held visiting faculty positions at MDSVAD, BNU (Spring 2021, Fall 2016–Spring 2017, 2005–08) and the Fine Arts Department at NCA, Lahore (2004–05).

Shah's artistic practice has been showcased in numerous prestigious exhibitions. His solo exhibition, After-Images, was held at Canvas Art Gallery, Karachi (2019), and his catalogued two-person show, Punctured and Unravelled, took place at Green Cardamom, London (2007). As a curator, he has organized several impactful group exhibitions, including Art Fest at Sambara Art Gallery, Karachi (2022), Tonight No Poetry Will Serve at Barefoot Gallery, Colombo (2021), Cross-overs at Al-Hamra Art Gallery, Lahore (2019), and Resemble Reassemble at Devi Art Foundation, New Delhi (2010). His curatorial projects consistently engage with pressing socio-political themes, challenging and expanding the discourse on contemporary art in South Asia.

Beyond his work in the visual arts, Shah is deeply invested in literary translation. His meticulous translations from Punjabi into Sindhi include Heer Waris Shah, Kalam Baba Farid, and selected works of Najm Hosain Syed (poetry, essays, and plays). While these translations have not yet been published as books, selected pieces have appeared in esteemed Sindhi and Punjabi literary magazines, contributing to the preservation and accessibility of classical literature.

Through his multi-faceted contributions as an educator, curator, translator, and artist, Mahbub Shah continues to play a pivotal role in shaping South Asian contemporary art and intellectual thought. His work fosters critical dialogue and artistic innovation, making him a key figure in both academic and creative spheres.

• Master of Art Education, Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts and Design, Beaconhouse National University, Lahore
• Bachelor of Fine Arts, National College of Arts, Lahore

• Associate Professor, MDSVAD, Beaconhouse National University, Lahore (2008–Present)
• Visiting Faculty, MDSVAD, Beaconhouse National University, Lahore (Spring 2021, Fall 2016–Spring 2017, 2005–2008)
• Visiting Faculty, Fine Arts Department, National College of Arts, Lahore (2004–2005)

Solo Exhibitions

• After-Images, Canvas Art Gallery, Karachi (2019)

Catalogued Two-Person Show

• Punctured and Unravelled, Green Cardamom, London (2007)

Curated Group Exhibitions

• Art Fest, Sambara Art Gallery, Karachi (2022)
• Tonight No Poetry Will Serve, Barefoot Gallery, Colombo (2021)
• Adjective/Verb, Canvas Art Gallery, Karachi (2021)
• Cross-overs, Al-Hamra Art Gallery, Lahore (2019)
• In the Beginning Was the Word, O Art Space, Lahore (2018)
• Invitation to Action, Lahore Biennale 01 (2018)
• Paper, Picture, Perfect, Canvas Gallery, Karachi (2017)
• Crossing Over: Contemporary Art from Pakistan, Gallery Latitude 28, New Delhi (2013)
• Considering Collage, Jhaveri Contemporary, Mumbai (2013)
• Resemble Reassemble, Devi Art Foundation, New Delhi (2010)
• Pattern Recognition, The City Gallery, Leicester, UK (2009)
• Moment as Monument, Thomas Erben at Travancore Palace, New Delhi (2009)
• Good Looking: Vision and Society in Contemporary Art, GreyNoise, Lahore (2009)
• Thomas Erben Gallery @ Chattejee Lal, Mumbai (2008)
• Green Cardamom at Art HK08, Hong Kong (2008)
• Contemporary Art from Pakistan, Thomas Erben Gallery, New York (2007)
• Sohni Dharti, Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi (2007)
• Face of the Artist: Self-Portraits of Our Times, Rohtas-2 Gallery, Lahore (2005)
• Out of the Box, Zahoor-ul-Akhlaq Gallery, National College of Arts, Lahore (2005)
• Beyond Borders: Art of Pakistan, National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai (2005)
• Graduates Exhibition, National College of Arts, Lahore (2002)

• Heer Waris Shah
• Kalam Baba Farid
• Selected poems by Najm Hosain Syed
• Selected essays by Najm Hosain Syed
• Selected plays by Najm Hosain Syed

(Translated works are not yet published as books; selected translations have appeared in Sindhi and Punjabi literary magazines.)

• Email Address: mahbub.ali@bnu.edu.pk