Looking to decorate your home with tasteful, eclectic art but not sure where to shop? Luckily for you, there’s no scarcity of art galleries in Karachi. Well established galleries like Chawkandi Art and the V.M. Art Gallery can be trusted to provide authentic artwork by contemporary artists. Up and coming galleries like the Sanat Initiative are also a good place to shop for high-end artwork.
The top art galleries in Karachi showcase work by young, emerging talent as well as renowned, master artists of South Asia such as Jamil Naqsh and Sadeqain. Artwork created using a range of mediums, from oil paintings to photographs and even installations created using metal, is available for interested buyers at these well-renowned art galleries.
Top Art Galleries in Karachi
Koel Gallery
Established by Noorjahan Bilgrami, Koel Gallery features exhibitions by up and coming artists as well as industry veterans. Most exhibitions are designed to showcase art created in multiple mediums. Canvas paintings and photographs are often featured alongside installations created using various materials.
When: 8th-22nd September
Timings: 5:00p.m.-9:00p.m.
Where: F42/II, Block 4, Clifton
Contact: 021-35831292
Website: http://www.koel.com.pk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KOELGallery?fref=ts
Canvas Gallery
Dedicated to the promotion of modern art, Canvas Gallery showcases young artists from all over the country. If you’re interested in unconventional exhibitions, Canvas Gallery is the place for you. From paintings and digital prints to sculptures and video installations, Canvas Gallery provides a space for artists to express themselves in any possible medium.
The gallery’s most recent exhibition, “The Fine Line” features work by three young artists. The exhibition explored a diverse range of themes. Cyra Ali, a graduate of Indus Valley, explored themes of sexual identity in her work. Fatima Munir, also an alumni of Indus, showcased political themes in her art, using inkjet on canvas. Umar Nawaz, a graduate of the National College of Arts, used steel and iron sculptures to talk about physical strength (and vulnerability). This exhibition is typical of the diverse and experimental nature of the artwork that the gallery strives to promote.
When: till 10th September
Timings: 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Where: D40/1A , Block 4 , Kehkashan, Clifton
Contact: 021-35861523
Email: [email protected]
Website http://www.canvasartgallery.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/canvas.gallery.karachi?fref=ts
Chawkandi Art
Established over two decades ago, Chawkandi Art has garnered a reputation for itself in the art world. Roomy and well-lit, the space is very well thought out and designed to walk you through any exhibition in a very structured order. The gallery showcases work of the highest aesthetic quality. If you’re looking to furnish your home with elegant paintings and prints, Chawkandi Art is definitely worth checking out.
Chawkandi Art’s most recent exhibition was entitled “The Neoterics” and showcased the works of four artists: Hoor Ahmed, Mehreen Fatima, Momina Muhammad, Qutub Ali and Syed Hussain. While there is not always an exhibition going on at Chawkandi Art, the gallery can always be trusted to provide high-quality art whenever you are looking to decorate your home.
Where: 105, Marine Point,DCI, Kehkashan, Block 9, Clifton
Contact: 021-35373582
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chawkandi1985
Eye for Art
Established in 2003, Eye for Art specialises in buying and selling artwork by renowned artists from India and Pakistan. Showcasing pieces by master artists like Najmi Sura and Sakti Burman, Eye for Art can always be trusted to provide authentic artwork. The gallery also aims to promote artwork by young artists. If you’re interested in decorating your homes with artwork that is firmly rooted in the aesthetic heritage of the Subcontinent, Eye for Art is the place to go.
Recently, the gallery showcased work by Pakistani legends Gulgee and Sadequain, whose pieces were quick to sell-out. Eye for Art also holds numerous exhibitions in the United States. So if you’re living in the States and looking to invest in Pakistani art, keep checking their Facebook page for exhibitions near you.
Where: 22 C/1, 6th Commercial Lane, Zamzama
Contact: 021- 35378368
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://efa.com.pk/index.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eyeforartpk?ref=br_rs
V.M. Art Gallery
A venture of the Rangoonwala Trust, V.M. Art Gallery is a non-profit organisation that is focused on promoting the work of new artists. The gallery provides a space for emerging artists and recent graduates from art schools all over the country to showcase their work and make it available to potential buyers. The gallery also awards annual art scholarships to students who require financial aid while pursuing art degrees.
The space itself is much bigger than most other galleries in the city, split into three levels. Exhibitions at the gallery showcase artwork with distinctly local aesthetic sensibilities by contemporary artists. Anyone who is interested in investing in artwork by Pakistan’s emerging talent should definitely make the time to check-out V.M. Art Gallery.
Dhoraji Society
Contact: 021-34948088
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.vmartgallery.org/index.php
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/VM-ART-GALLERY/289373804362?fref=ts
Emerging Art Galleries in Karachi
Sanat Initiative
Recently established, Sanat Initiative showcases work by young, emerging artists. The gallery features eclectic artwork and holds frequent exhibitions. It’s most recent exhibition, entitled “How Did I Get Here?” featured work by Farhat Ali. The artist used pop culture references to create miniature artwork rooted in the Mughal tradition. This exhibition is characteristic of the unique work often featured at Sanat.
Upcoming exhibition: Chup Kahani- Works by Zahid Mayo
When: 11th-21st September
Timings: 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Where: F-39-1/A, Block IV, Clifton
Contact: 0300 8208108
Website: http://www.sanatinitiative.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/initiativesanat/timeline
Momart
Spacious and beautifully decorated, Momart promotes work by young artists. “Empty Souls”, it’s most recent exhibition, showcased the work of Mohammad Ali Bhatti. The exhibition featured vibrant art created using local references. Momart also rents out space for anyone interested in holding an exhibition or event. There is not always an exhibition going on, but the gallery always has artwork on display and is open to all art enthusiasts.
Opening hours: 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Where: 74-D, Block 2, Clifton
Contact: 021-35296801-02
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GalleryMomart
Unicorn Art Gallery
Established by Seemah Niaz, Unicorn Art Gallery showcases contemporary South Asian art. The gallery hosts exhibitions by up and coming artists and also holds retrospective exhibitions featuring work by renowned painters. Artwork and installations created using multiple mediums are often part of their exhibitions.The gallery is always open for art lovers and buyers and is definitely worth checking out.
Opening hourse: 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Where: D116/1A, Block 4, Scheme 5, Clifton
Contact: 0300-8260580, 021-35877625, 35831220
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Website: http://unicorngalleryblog.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnicornGallery
ArtChowk
ArtChowk showcases work created in a range of mediums from photographs to clay sculptures. The gallery aims to promote work by emerging artists and can be trusted to provide high-quality artwork for interested buyers. It’s upcoming exhibition, “Cartography”, will be clay sculptures created by Shazia Zuberi. Zuberi’s work is inspired by the aesthetics of the Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa civilisations. We highly recommend ArtChowk for enthusiasts interested in contemporary artwork.
Upcoming Exhibition: Cartography by Shazia Zuberi
When: 15th September-3rd October
Timings: 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Where: Suite 102, 1st. Floor, Clifton Centre, Schon Circle, Block 5, Clifton
Contact: 021-35300482
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.artchowk.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtChowk.the.Gallery?fref=ts
We are also running two are galleries in lahore so must consider us too for your listings.