Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts & Design - BNU

Risham Syed is a visual artist who currently heads the Visual Arts Department at the Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts & Design, Beaconhouse National University, Lahore, Pakistan. Risham has a diverse art practice in which painting and other mediums are employed to explore questions of history and politics. Her native city plays a pivotal role in her work, as do related inquiries into what the colonial history of the region means to today’s global south. She explores these questions using her paintings as pieces of a greater, often global context through installation and engages objects, borders, margins, frames with social reference and connotation. Her use of fabric, embroidery, found objects, along with her paintings, speaks about her connection with the personal, as well as the historical, weaving in history with the present moment. Risham has shown extensively in major national and international exhibitions, including the Manchester Art Gallery, ABRAAJ Capital Art Prize, Dubai, Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester, Asia Pacific Triennial Brisbane, Hangzhou Triennial of Fiber Art, China, Mohatta Palace Museum, Karachi, National Gallery of Art, Islamabad, National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, Harris Museum, Preston, Barbican Centre, London, and the Fukuoka Triennial, Japan. Ms. Risham is the recipient of the prestigious ABRAAJ Capital Art Prize (2012). Her works are part of important public and private collections. Her recent projects include a solo show at Manchester Art Gallery in Manchester, where her work conversed with the permanent collection of 18th and 19th-century paintings. Risham is a graduate of the National College of Arts, Lahore, and holds an MA from the Royal College of Art, London.

Kiran Khan is a professor and head of the Textile, Fashion, and Accessories Department at MDSVAD. She initially earned a Bachelor of Design from the National College of Arts in Lahore, specializing in textiles. Her thesis, titled 'The World Beyond the Senses,' was awarded a distinction. Additionally, she received the prestigious Percy Brown Award for Art History and two gold medals for her performances as part of the NCA puppet team, known as The Puppeteers NCA. She then joined the Pakistan School of Fashion Design (PSFD), now PIFD, where she taught for eight years and developed the textile curriculum. During her tenure at PIFD, she pursued further studies in textile design, accessories, and fashion drawing from La Chambre Syndicale De la Couture, France. She was also selected by JETRO, the Japanese External Trade Organization, for further training at Bunka College of Fashion, Tokyo.She joined BNU in 2004 and established the textile design department, where she has been for 16 years since its inception. She has received training in the conservation of textiles and completed her Master’s Degree in Linguistics from BNU in 2014, which she believes is an essential link between language and arts. She feels that 'all textiles convey a different story, and it is through language that we understand this story.' The Department of Textiles is actively engaged in craft revival and was awarded the esteemed international Mac Jannet Prize by the Tallories Network for a community craft Project called the 'Humnawa Project,' in collaboration with Sungi and Bunyaad under the Punjab Skills Development Programme, to empower women in Southern Punjab. She developed a curriculum on 'Innovative Design' for empowering rural women, a joint venture with Kaarvan Craft Foundation. This project with Kaarvan Craft Foundation follows the same structural model as 'Humnawa,' whereby 1600 women will be trained in clusters. The curriculum designed will serve as a template to provide exposure and encourage innovative thinking for all underserved craft practitioners in South East Asia.She was Artist in Residence at Art Address, Oakville, Ontario, Canada, in July 2018. She also designs for the textile sector and has developed designs for Mausummery Lawn, Sitara Textiles, and Five Star Lawn. She runs her personal Embellishment Design Studio, engaging local embroidery craftsmen and developing custom-made hand-embroidered textiles.

Quddus Mirza, an artist, art critic, and independent curator, served as the Head of the Fine Art Department at the National College of Arts, Lahore, before joining BNU. He holds a BFA from NCA and an MA in Painting from the Royal College of Art, London. Mirza's work has been showcased extensively in significant group exhibitions and solo shows in Pakistan and the UK. He has curated exhibitions such as "Trade Union" and "Take Away" at Zahoor ul Akhlaq Gallery, NCA, and "One to One" at Alhamra Art Gallery, Lahore. His notable exhibitions include "Celebrating Art" and "Love" at the National Art Gallery, Islamabad, and "Beyond Borders: Art from Pakistan" at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Mumbai, India. Mirza is a prominent art critic, contributing regular columns to Pakistan's major newspaper, 'The News', and to international publications such as 'Art India' and 'Depart'. He is the co-author of the book "50 Years of Visual Arts in Pakistan" and serves as the editor of the online magazine 'Artnow Pakistan'.

Aarish Sardar is a design educator and interdisciplinary creative practitioner. He holds a BFA in Fine Arts (2000) and an MA in Multimedia Arts (2003) from the National College of Arts, Lahore. Aarish pursued his MA in Communication Design from Kingston University London (2006) after gaining several years of experience as an Associate Producer at GEO TV Lahore. Currently, he teaches at the Dept. of Visual Communication Design in the Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts & Design at Beaconhouse National University (BNU), Lahore. Aarish has completed limited modules of the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ – Level 3) UK, namely Children Safeguarding, and National Open College Networks (NOCN) UK in Communication & Conflict Management.Aarish has worked as a communication designer and multimedia consultant internationally, serving clients from the USA, UK, Pakistan, and beyond, including Sophia Learning, Autograph ABP, Hulton Archives (Getty Images), DFID UK, Linge Roset, Eugene Dodd Typographics (EDT), Woolpack Inn, Hamptons of London, Aconflag Group Europe, and Salt’n’Pepper Restaurants (PAK/UK), among others. One of his notable projects is the design and art direction of the monograph “& She Wandered,” focusing on the acclaimed academic and visual artist Farida Batool’s art practices, published in March 2020.Aarish has exhibited his interdisciplinary works in various group shows at Kunj Art Gallery (Karachi), Rohtas Gallery (Islamabad), Corydon Clock Tower Gallery (London), Bermondsey Gallery (London), the School of Tomorrow exhibition held at the Royal Palm Club (Lahore), and at Alhmara Art Gallery (Lahore) as part of the group show

Mahbub Shah stands out as a visual artist and educator, whose contributions to the field through his exploration of visual representation and the real-vs-imaginary debate enrich the academic and artistic communities. His involvement in national and international exhibitions highlights his impactful presence in the art world. At BNU, he continues to inspire and educate, fostering a deep understanding of the visual arts among students.

Ayaz Jokhio's artistic journey is marked by an extensive exploration of painting as a medium, alongside various other techniques. With numerous solo exhibitions and participations in art residencies and projects worldwide, his dedication to art is profound. His role as an educator at BNU enriches the institution's artistic environment, providing students with a deep, practical insight into the art world.

Zainab Saghir Barlas, with her extensive experience in top advertising agencies and a strong academic background, plays a critical role at BNU as a design educator. Her contributions to the design summit and various group shows across Pakistan reflect her commitment to elevating design discourse and education. Her work as a visual communication designer and researcher significantly influences the nurturing of new talent in the field.

Rohma Khan, a multi-disciplinary artist, educator, and researcher, has made significant strides in bridging traditional craft with contemporary design. Her leadership in collaborative projects and initiatives aimed at craft revival and sustainable fashion underscores her commitment to social and environmental causes. Through her work, she has contributed to a broader understanding of textiles' role in cultural and contemporary contexts, making substantial impacts both locally and internationally. Her involvement in various high-profile projects and forums showcases her ability to innovate and inspire in the realms of art and design education.

Sana Aziz is a Jewelry Designer and an Educator. She has a Bachelor (hons) in Jewellery and Metal design from the University of Dundee, Scotland and a Masters in Art Education from Beaconhouse National University, for which she was awarded a Gold-medal and given the prestigious honor of representing her class as valedictorian. In addition to her entrepreneurial practice she has been enjoying her pedagogical practice at BNU since 2012. Over this past decade she has had the pleasure of teaching over 17 courses, including supervising the jewelry student’s graduating thesis several times.

Ammar Faiz engages in various mediums of experiential expressions and has exhibited his work internationally. His practice focuses on anthropological themes and has won awards in the Video Art category.

Ammar Shahid, a dynamic couturier, challenges design complexities and teaches diverse fashion-related courses at BNU, drawing from extensive industry experience.

Ahsan Nazir brings a unique fusion of prints and luxury fashion design, with a global customer base and a rich educational background.

Durre Shehwar Ali's design work spans industrial design to UX design, focusing on the social impact of design and product performance.

Aatiqa Sheikh is a dynamic figure in the field of art education, with a rich background in both teaching and research. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the Master of Art Education (MA AE) program at MDSAVAD, she brings a wealth of experience to her role. Having begun her journey as a Senior Lecturer at MDSVAD, Aatiqa's passion for art education has taken her through various esteemed institutions, including the Beaconhouse School System, Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design, and Beaconhouse National University. Her diverse teaching experiences have equipped her with a profound understanding of pedagogy and a commitment to innovative teaching methodologies. Aatiqa holds a Master's degree in English Literature from Punjab University, a testament to her interdisciplinary approach to education. Her academic pursuits led her to achieve a Master of Art Education with distinction in research from SVAD (Beaconhouse National University), highlighting her dedication to advancing knowledge in the field. Beyond the classroom, Aatiqa is deeply engaged in research and advocacy efforts. As the co-founder of Covert Overt, an inclusivity research collective, she actively contributes to initiatives aimed at fostering diversity and inclusion within educational spaces. Additionally, her involvement in a collaborative art education project with BNU-TEF underscores her commitment to enhancing teaching and learning practices in public schools, particularly in Southern Punjab. Aatiqa's scholarly contributions extend to the broader academic community, as evidenced by her participation in conferences such as the 13th Humanities & Social Science Conference at LUMS. Her research interests span a wide range of topics, including interfaith harmony and religious tolerance, as demonstrated by her role as a Site Lead for a project aimed at promoting these values in collaboration with GOP, World Bank, and UNESCO. In summary, Aatiqa Sheikh is not only a dedicated educator but also a passionate advocate for inclusive and transformative education. Through her teaching, research, and advocacy efforts, she continues to make significant contributions to the field of art education, enriching the lives of students and communities alike.

Ghulam Muhammad is an awarded artist and educator whose work has been recognized internationally, including the Jameel Art Prize from the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

Hifsa Farooq combines her roles as faculty and academic advisor with an active art practice, participating in significant residencies and exhibitions.

Sara Aslam did her Bachelor in Fine Arts and Masters in Art & Design Studies with distinction at Beaconhouse National University in 2016 and 2020, respectively. She teaches Foundation and Masters programs at BNU.

Eisha Liaqat is the Co-Founder of Articulate Studios, a creative space established to cultivate a sense of community among artists. The studio serves as a platform for artists to exchange ideas, find inspiration, and showcase their work. As part of her involvement, she curated and successfully implemented Art Saraye, an artist residency and outreach program. This initiative aimed to foster artistic and creative encounters, as well as promote rejuvenation and social change through engagement with the local community. She recently co-curated an exhibition titled “Retrospective, Fiber and Textile Expressions.”

A recipient of the Pride of Performance Award in 1999, Prof. Salima Hashmi is an internationally renowned Pakistani artist, writer, art historian, art curator and educationist. She taught at National College of Arts for 31 years before working as its principal for four years. She is one of the key persons who founded Beaconhouse National University and School of Visual Arts and Design. She is a reputed painter whose works have been exhibited in Pakistan and in international exhibitions. She has written extensively on the arts, and has curated exhibitions of contemporary art and traditional textile.

Recipient of the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 2022, Rashid Rana is widely considered to be one of the leading artists of his generation in South Asia. He emerged as the creator of an entirely new kind of art from Pakistan at the start of the century. Notable for his ideas, imagery, and pictorial strategies, Rashid Rana has exhibited extensively at various galleries and museums globally. His works are in various public and private collections, including the British Museum in London, the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Fukuoka Museum of Art in Japan, and the Saatchi Collection in London. He is the recipient of the prestigious Game-Changer Asia Art Award and was awarded International Artist of the Year by SAVAC Canada in 2003. Primarily known for his art practice, Rashid Rana occupies multiple simultaneous roles. He mediates between artist, curator, and academic with a common thread of an unfixed and non-prescriptive view of geography and identity. He is a founding faculty member and currently the Dean of the Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts & Design at BNU, Lahore.