Missing Paintings Case: What's the Latest?

A new development has given artist Safdar Ali renewed hope regarding his missing paintings from Frere Hall. The Sindh Minister of Culture and Tourism, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, has formed a two-member committee to investigate the matter.

The committee, which includes DG Culture Munawar Ali Mehsar and DG Antiquities and Archaeology Abdul Fateh Sheikh, has been tasked with investigating and submitting a detailed report within seven days, recommending actions based on law and policy.

The paintings in question were created by Safdar Ali, a final-year student at the University of Jamshoro’s Art and Design Department in 2016, and have attracted media attention due to controversy.

What Happened?

The situation unfolded when Safdar Ali, an artist from Daharki, Sindh, spotted two of his thesis paintings in a scene from the ARY Digital drama Kabhi Main, Kabhi Tum. Safdar, also known as Seffy Soomro in the artist community, created the paintings for his thesis in 2016, later exhibiting them at Frere Hall in 2017.

The scene where Safdar Ali's lost painting appeared in the TV dramaARY Digital

Speaking to Nukta, Safdar explained that according to the rules, artists are either paid for sold paintings or allowed to retrieve their unsold work. In his case, he never received any royalty or payment and on inquiry, was told by the management that his paintings were lost.

Although shocked, Safdar was also thrilled to see his paintings unexpectedly appear in the drama. He took to social media, hoping it would be an effective way to raise awareness.

The overwhelming response prompted the production house Big Bang Entertainment to clarify that they had only rented the venue for filming and were not responsible for using the paintings without permission.

According to BBC, the Frere Hall management denies that Safdar Ali's paintings were lost, and all he needs to reclaim them is to show the receipt he received when he handed over the paintings for exhibition. However, Safdar Ali explained to Nukta that, after seven years, he no longer has the receipts.

The artist reflected on his thesis, themed 'Innocent Faces,' noting the difficulty of completing it since he belongs to a poor family where the father runs a small cabin. Though Safdar hasn’t retrieved his paintings yet, he remains grateful for the support he’s received throughout the ordeal.

The whole ordeal has not only helped Safdar Ali reconnect with his lost work but also highlighted the challenges faced by an artist in Pakistan.