ASHKAL

Since 1992 Ashkal visited several Museums, Galleries and attended Auction Houses (Private Views) in London, Paris, New York etc for research on Picasso's work and also attended 'The EY' Exhibition PICASSO 1932 at Tate Modern, London (2018). "I found his work magnificent, completely alive." He had vision "Don't show people look like anymore, we have photographs for that", as Picasso says.

Askhal took inspiration from Picasso's work. "After deep scrutiny I felt I have never painted anything this "Revolutionary". Then he decided he need to find a new way of seeing things and he wants to show a deeper truth. His perspective is also the same as Picasso's "the way things are in our dreams not just as they appear to be. I want to bend all the rules".

Askhal studied Picasso's and Georges Braque's analytic Cubism and made some experimental paintings on the vanishing point making them completely vanish then challenge the rules of Perspective and break all the rules of light, colour, form, shape and proportions to create a new sort of painting.

He also studied Picasso's Synthetic Cubism and Surrealism Periods, whose influence can be seen in his work.

Biography

Ashkal is a Contemporary Visual Artist born in 1969, Pakistan.

He is a painter, an expert art–restorer, Fine Art photographer, Film Maker and Founder President of The Visual  and  Performing  Arts Forum International.

Education :

2005 - STUDIED in FINE ARTS, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design LONDON.

1998 - STUDIED Pastels Portriats live drawings at National Arts Club, New York.

1996 - STUDIED two Nude Female Models live drawings (individual) at National Arts Club, New York.

1994 - 2012 - VISITED & STUDIED ARTWORKS: Private and National Galleries & Museums USA and Europe, Middle East.

Selected Solo Exhibitions:

2019 - Ashkal's Fine Art Pakistan, Solo Exhibition of Paintings," OLD MASTERS IN A NEW LIGHT".

2019 - Ashkal's Fine Art Pakistan, Solo Exhibition of Paintings," L Orientalisme" Miniature Series.

2018 - Photo exhibition titled "Arc de Triomphe". A tribute to France’s unknown soldiers from the World Wars and to the majestic French architecture was held at the Alliance Francaise Karachi Pakistan.

2018 - Ashkal's Fine Art Pakistan, Solo Exhibition of Paintings," Dil -e- Nadan ( Ghalib Series ) ".

2017 - Ashkal's Fine Art Pakistan, Solo Exhibition of Paintings , "L Orientalisme".

2017 - Ashkal's Fine Art Pakistan, Solo Exhibition of Paintings, "Flute Player" Mniature Series.

2016 - Ashkal's Fine Art Pakistan, Solo Exhibition of Paintings, Musical Sensations Female series.

2016 - Citi Art Gallery, Solo Exhibition of Paintings, " Flute Player" series.

2015 - Creative Art Gallery, Solo Exhibition of Paintings, "SENSATIONS" series.

2014 - Majmua Art Gallery, Solo Exhibition of Paintings, Musical Sensations Female (series).

2013 - Ashkal's Fine Art Pakistan, Solo Exhibition of Paintings, Human & Devil ( series ).

2010 - SOLO EXHIBITIONS: at Art Affair Gallery.

2009 - SOLO EXHIBITIONS: at Dream Art Gallery (November).

2002 - 2012 - SOLO EXHIBITIONS: at Ashkal's Gallery.

2000 - 2011 - MISC EXHIBITIONS: at Louv Gallery.

1991 - 1999 - SOLO EXHIBITIONS: Arts Council, Art Collectors, Louv, Galleries.

Private Exhibitions at Diplomates Residence :

2007 - the Consul General of France Mr. Pierre SEILLAN, Karachi,

2006 - Mr. Harry J. Simons (First Secretary) ROYAL NETHERLANDS EMBASSY, Islamabad

2006 - Mr. Alois Koenig (German Defence Attaché )  Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Islamabad.

1992 - at the residence of the British (Deputy Head of Mission) Deputy High Commission Karachi,

Two - Person Exhibitions :

2014 - Majmua, The Art Gallery, Two Man Show of Paintings, The Musical Sensations Female (series).

2013 - Grandeur Gallery, Two Man Show of Paintings, The Musical Sensations Female (series).

Selected Group Exhibitions :

2018 - Majmua, The Art Gallery, Group Show of Paintings " UNTITLED ".

2016 - Grandeur Gallery, Group Exhibition of Paintings.

2015 - Majmua, The Art Gallery, Group Show of Paintings Title ( Mixed ).

2011 - International Artists Group Exhibition at Artspace Galleries, London.

2011 - International Artists Group Exhibition at Artspace Galleries "Village Suisse"Paris France.

2010 - GROUP EXHIBITION: ( participated ) Grandeur Gallery (October).

1988 - Participated in Group Exhibition of Paintings organized by local NGO, Karachi.

Notable Collections ( Portraits ) :

1992 - 2007 - Queen Elizabeth II ( The Great Britain ) Life Size Portrait  which consist of 14 colours, Pen and Ink Drawing on Paper,

Bill Clinton ( 42nd U.S. President ),

Prince Shah Karim Al Hussaini, ( Aga Khan IV ),

Mohammad Ali Clay ( American Professional Boxer ), 

Quaid-e-Azam  ( Founder of Pakistan ),

Mao Zedong ( Former Chairman of the People's Republic of China ),

Nelson Mandela ( Former President of South Africa ),

Crown Prince Naruhito ( Emperor of Japan ) and Princess Masako, 

Khaleda Zia ( Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh ).

Research Works :

1992 - 2012 - RESEARCHED on Western Old Master's LIFE & WORKS and Specialized in Oriental Art (North African countries) .

Ashkal’s Visiting U.K, Europe, America, and Middle East since 1992 for Research, & Study "The OLD MASTERS" art works in the museums and galleries

Commissions :

1999 - 2011 - DA VINCI'S: Western Old Masters Re-Productions Gallery,

COMMISSIONS, for Diplomats, Private Collectors & Corporate.

Testimonials :

2002- 2007 - ACKNOWLEDGED: on Western Old Masters Re-Pro by foreign Diplomats and Art Collectors , H.E   D J Young ( British Deputy High Commissioner ) Karachi,  Roger Sykes ( British Deputy High Commissioner ) Karachi,  Ms Laura ( Cultural Attache ) Consulate General of Italy Karachi, H.E  Bonu ( Consul General of France ) Karachi , H.E  Harry  J. Simons ( Netherlands ) Islamabad, Pakistan.

Permanent and Private Collections:

1992- 2012 - Perfect Restorations, NYC, National Arts Club (New York), Local and International Collectors, NGO's,UK, USA, France, Fuji, Dubai.

1992- 2018 - In entire globe all Diplomats, Corporates, Organizations, and private collectors have his paintings in their permanent collection.

Auctions :

2018 - Chiswick Auctions ( London ) " Maharaja Ram Singh On Horseback " circa 2012, mixed media and watercolour on Paper.

2018 - Chiswick Auctions ( London )" A Portrait of a Young Arab Girl " circa 2002, Oil on Canvas.

Press :

2011 - Independent UK ( Press Release ) 28 April 2011 10:46, Group Exhibition 2011 is at Artspace Galleries Paris 28 April until 10 May and London 16 May until 21 May.

1995 - 2012 - COVER STORIES, COVERS: Pakistan, London, Paris, N.Y.

1992 - 2011 - NEWS PAPERS, MAGAZINES: ( Interviews ) The Daily Jang, The Daily Dawn, The weekly  MAG,Teenager Magazine, and others local news papers.

1991 - 2010 - MAGAZINES:( Articles Published) in country and abroad.

Selected Publications :

2017 - Hay Hill Gallery - the catalogue of artworks by Ashkal Published by issuu.com.

2014 - Antiquitynow.org USA , Posted on January 16, 2014, Today’s Muse Welcomes Art by Ashkal " The Musical Sensations—Female "

2009 - International Photographic Catalogue Published by P.O.D Micro System.

2008 - Notable Collections ( Portraits ) Catalogue Published by P.O.D Micro System.

2004 - DAWN, Gallery “cover story” has been published.

1997 - Habib Bank A.G. Zurich has published a historic Wall Calendar which was consisting of Portraits of Founder (leader) of Pakistan on the occasion of Pakistan’s golden jubilee.

Lectures :

2012 - A DISCOURSED on Art and History at " GOLD COAST ART FAIR Chicago, U.S.A.

2011 - A DISCOURSED on Art and History at Artspace Galleries , PARIS, France.

2011 - ATTENDED Public Symposium "Sights and Sounds of April Eighteenth Century Venice"   National Gallery of Art, Washington D.0 U.S.A .

2006 - ATTENDED Exhibition of Paintings titled "MODIGLIANI July and His Model "and Lecture "Modigliani's Women" by Professor Jeffry Meyer, author of the new biography, Modigliani: A LIFE.

2006 - ATTENDED Exhibition, Paintings of Jacob van Ruisdael May titled "MASTER OF LANDSCAPE "and Lecture" Light and -Space" by Paul Taylor, from The Warburg Institute, at The Royal Academy of Arts, London.

2004 - ATTENDED Lecture "Patterns of Innovation in Feb Flemish Manuscripts of the Renaissance" by Dr. Thomas Kren, Curator of Manuscripts at the J. Paul-Getty Museum and co- curator of the exhibition at The Royal Academy of Arts, London.

1996 - ATTENDED Lecture by Sydney J. Fredberg visiting Art Scholars at National Arts Club, New York .

Member:  London Photographic Association (UK) , Lions Club International.

Awards and Prizes :

1992 - 2007 - Awards by several Art Organizations, Pakistan Television ( Best Performance ).

Morning Shows ( Televisions )

1999 - 2011 - Interviews as a special guest was invited for Morning Shows by P.T.V. Karachi centre, HUM TV (Morning Show), I PLUS TV (Morning Show) Karachi, Pakistan.

Hosted Art Show ( Television )
2012 - ASHKALS: (Anchor) Art Show, Nigaar Khana at SUCH TV, Pakistan

E-mail: info@hayhillgallery.com