Pedagogue, Visual Artist, Independent Curator & Writer

I graduated in fine arts from the National College of Arts Lahore, Pakistan in 1993 along with MA fine arts from the University of East London, the UK in 2003. At present, my professional status is an interdependent relationship among practice as a pedagogue, artist, curator, and writer. Since graduation, I am busy with my creative practice and have done nine solo shows along with many group participation in Pakistan and UK. In my creative practice, I am not only the painter of canvas and paper but also have experimented on various surfaces. My subjects are mundane and I operate them in a broad range of styles, supported by intense technical skill. I don’t produce classical literal artwork rather present intuitive marks in the poetic gaze. I have published papers and art reviews in various local as well as international newspapers, periodicals and research journals. My curatorial practice is largely DIY curating and each of the curatorial projects conjured up a critical framework for contemporary/current critical discourse in the works of Pakistani artists. I have been curating art since 2010 and till now have curated 11 Projects. I also established my own art gallery ‘drawing studio’ in Lahore and that project was concluded in 2014. Presently I am working as Head of the Dept. of Art & Design at COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus.

Research (post-graduate research work):

The Casacade Project:
Effects of globalization and interaction of diverse cultures into art form. Research work done as part of MA fine art, under guidance of Prof. Geoff Brunell at University of East London UK

Issues in contemporary art of Pakistan:
Research work done as part of MA fine art, under guidance of Prof. Grenville Davey at University of East London UK.

International Conference Paper: 
2019 ‘Dissenting Art: Political Cartoons of Anwar Ali (1922-2004)’ IAF19 CUI, PK. 
2015 ‘Mughal and Colonial Architecture of Lahore’ University International de Rabat,   Morocco. 

Artists Residencies and Workshops:
I. 2020 One Month ‘Ecology & Social Art Practice’ 12.O Contemporary Artist Residency, Islamabad
II. 2019 4-week Karbath 02 Artist Residency, Lahore PK.
III. 2017 Vasl Residency: Faculty Mentoring Workshop at Indus Valley School of Art & Architecture Karachi, Pakistan. The workshop was conducted by Iftikhar Dadi, Prof. of Art History, Cornell University USA.
IV. 2016 Workshop on History & Philosophy of Historic Preservation conducted by Hassan-Uddin Khan, Prof. of Architecture and Preservation, Roger William University, USA. 

Write-Ups in Journals/Newspapers/Periodicals:  
Ashraf, M. (2019). Feica, the Inborn Cartoonist | artnow. Retrieved 17 December 2019, from http://www.artnowpakistan.com/feica-the-inborn-cartoonist/ 
Ashraf, M. (2008). Samina Zaheer’s Current Exhibition of Painting. South Asian Cultural Studies (Sacs), 2(1), 41-44. Retrieved from http://blogs.edgehill.ac.uk/sacs/files/2012/07/Document-7-Ashraf-M-Samina-Zaheer%E2%80%99s-Current-Exhibition-of-Painting.pdf 
Ashraf, M. (2008). Displaying Diversity (The NCA Degree Show). The Nation, Sunday Plus, p.16.
Ashraf, M. (2015). To Free Herself (Art Exhibition in Lahore by Naiza Khan). The Nation, Sunday Plus, p.13. 
Ashraf, M. (2008). Passion of Life (Bones/Steel, An Art Exhibition held at Rohtas 2 Gallery Lahore by Attiya Shoukat). The Nation, Sunday Plus, p.35. 
Ashraf, M. (2008). Connoisseurs of Art (Water-based Painting Exhibition by Pirzada Najum-ul-Hassan at Vision Art Gallery Karachi). The Nation, Sunday Plus, p.5.
Ashraf, M. (2008). Feminist Expression (Art works displayed at GCU by Ambreen). The Nation, Sunday Plus, p.29.
Ashraf, M. (2008). The Lure of Landscape (Pen & Inks drawings by Azhar Hayat Noon at The Collectors Gallery). Dawn, gallery, p.8. 

Curatorial Projects:
Feb 2020 ‘KAR BAT - Karbathians 2020’ A collaterive show with Lahore Biennale
Nov 2017 ‘Photo Walk’ COMSATS ADA Gallery Lahore PK
Jan 2016 ‘Beyond Art’ (Faculty Show) COMSATS ADA Gallery Lahore PK
April 2015    ‘Chisel Out’ (Stone Sculptures – Solo Show) NCA Gallery Lahore PK
April 2014 ‘The Triumvirate’ 3 Persons Show – drawing studio Lahore PK
April 2013 ‘MIDWAY’ Art Show – 2013 – COMSATS ADA Gallery Lahore PK
Nov 2012 ‘Variable Viewpoint’ 3 Persons show - drawing studio Lahore PK
Sep 2012 ‘Dimension One’ 3 persons show - drawing studio Lahore PK
April 2012 ‘3 Folklorists’ 3 persons show - drawing studio Lahore PK
Oct 2011 ‘Bizarre’ solo show - drawing studio Lahore PK
April 2011 ‘Virtuosity’ 3 persons show - drawing studio Lahore PK
April 2010 ‘Palindrome’ 3 persons show - drawing studio Lahore PK

Solo Exhibitions:
Jan 2020 ‘Sublimity & Melancholy: Elasticity of Lahore’s Flora’ Koel Gallery,      Karachi PK.
Oct 2010 Laughters of Idiocy – Art Chowk Gallery, Karachi PK
May 2007 English Ambience in Watercolours and Drawings II – Kenneth More Theatre Essex, UK
Nov 2006 The Great Art Fair – Alexandra Palace, London UK
Oct 2006 English Ambience in Watercolurs and Drawings I – Tavistock Centre, London UK
March 2006 Embodiment of Academic Representations – Pakistan High Commission for UK
Jan 2004 Similarities & Differences – Nairang Gallery, Lahore PK
Aug 2001 Nature Colours and Artist – Coopera Art Gallery, Lahore PK
Oct 1998 Embellishment of Sacred Text – Ejaz Galleries, Lahore PK
May 1998 Paintings on Parade – The British Council, Lahore PK

Group Exhibitions:
Feb 2020 ‘KAR BAT - Karbathians 2020’ A collaterive show with Lahore Biennale
March 2019    Karbath 02 Artist Residency Show – Mussawir Art Gallery Packages Mall, Lahore PK
April 2014    Seeing is Believing – Standard Chartered Bank, M.M. Alam Road Branch, Lahore PK
May 2011     Icon (Rani); Rohtas 2 Gallery – Lahore PK 
April 2007 Ebonytwist Contemporary Art Gallery – Folkston UK
July 2006 Art in Mind, Part III – The Brick Lane Gallery, London UK
Sep 2003 Masters in Fine Art Degree Show – Dockland Campus, Atrium UEL, London UK
Feb 2003 Cascade – Dockland campus, Atrium UEL, London UK
July 2002 Post Graduate Diploma Show – Dockland campus, Atrium UEL, London UK
April 2002 25 Artists – STRANDED – Old Strand Tube Station London UK
Feb 2001 Rohtas Art Gallery – Islamabad PK

Additional Professional Positions:
2013 – 2014 External Examiner, MPhil Practice-led research in Fine Art, LCWU, and Lahore PK
2013 – 2014 Member BOS, BFA, LCWU, Lahore PK
2013 – 2014 External Examiner, BFA, LCWU, Gulberg College, Samnabad College, Lahore PK
2011 – 2012 Visiting Faculty, CIIT, Dept of Architecture & Design Lahore PK
2009 – 2009 Visiting Faculty/Group Tutorials, MA Visual Arts - National College of Arts, Lahore
2008 – 2010 Visiting Art Teacher, High School – Scarsdale International School, Lahore PK
2002 – 2003 Mentorship, NVQ Level - Sixth Form College, London UK – Professional Practice placement