The Haryali art show, organized in collaboration with the Denmark Embassy, showed how art can address global challenges, especially the climate crisis. Curated by Usman Ahmed and Fang Wang, the wife of the Danish Ambassador, the exhibition featured 36 prominent and emerging artists exploring themes of climate change, sustainability, and our connection with nature. It highlighted the urgent need for environmental awareness and reflected on the climate challenges Pakistan is facing today, such as severe floods, rising temperatures, and loss of natural resources. The show aimed to inspire action and conversation on these issues.
Exhibition
ExhibitionThe exhibition featured prominent artists, including Imran Qureshi, who presented a powerful video installation. Sara Shakeel, celebrated as the queen of glitter in the art world, showcased her AI-crafted video works depicting the beauty of ocean life. Shah Abdullah contributed a striking triptych featuring his signature calligraphic compositions using the siyah mashq technique, forming the word “HUM” with elegant, flowing strokes. Abuzar Madhu’s emotional performance art left the audience in awe, emphasizing the urgency of addressing pollution and waste, particularly in the River Ravi. Natasha Malik’s meticulously detailed miniature evoked themes of loss and grief, showcasing intricate storytelling, while Karim Ahmed’s charcoal-on-paper drawings conveyed a profound sense of calm and serenity & Adeen Habib’s quirky artwork on overconsumption added the perfect touch of variety to the artists featured in this show.
These contributions, along with the works of many other talented artists, 36 in total, made this show a powerful collective statement on climate change and sustainability.
The lush green backdrop of the location enhanced the immersive experience, seamlessly integrating nature into the exhibition. With its rich layers of meaning, Haryali offered an exceptional curation and an immersive experience. The variety of art forms—including performance art, video installations, and large-scale works—made it stand out as a groundbreaking show. Islamabad has rarely seen an exhibition of this scale, uniting so many artists and audiences around a powerful message.
Haryali was more than just an art exhibition—it was a call to action. It encouraged the audience to view climate change through a creative and thought-provoking lens. We highly recommend it.
Usman Ahmed
Usman Ahmed is an independent curator based in Islamabad, known for creating meaningful and thought-provoking art shows. He has curated exhibitions that address important issues like gender studies, environmental sustainability, economic crises, and more. His work mixes research and contemporary ideas to deliver narratives. With a background in art, he combines research and modern concepts to bring unique perspectives to his work. As the curator of Haryali, he brought together 36 artists to explore themes of climate change and sustainability. His dedication to collaboration and impactful storytelling has established him as both a respected and influential curator.
Fang Wang
Fang Wang
Fang Wang, an avid advocate for cultural diplomacy, is celebrated for her ability to merge artistic expression with meaningful dialogue. As the wife of the Danish Ambassador, Fang has used her position to champion artistic initiatives that foster global connections and address critical issues. Her role as co-curator of Haryali exemplified her commitment to environmental advocacy through the arts. Fang’s keen eye for talent and collaborative spirit helped bring together a diverse array of artists, creating a harmonious balance between emerging and established voices. Her contributions to Haryali showcased her belief in the transformative power of art to inspire change and build understanding.