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Karachi Biennale Trust Announces the 4th Karachi Biennale & Urgent Theme of ‘Rizq’

by Press Release
written by Press Release

The latest edition of Karachi Biennale will open its doors to the public from October 27 for two weeks, and showcase art across Karachi, it was announced here earlier today at a press conference.

This time Rizq/ Risk as the theme will connect visitors to the foodscape of our time as over 40 artists from 10 countries will offer interactive projects including installations and performances, videos, and paintings. These will be installed at five venues across Karachi and are free for all.

The theme is in response to Pakistan’s recent flood and heatwaves that have impacted food security and calls for us to pause for a moment, and reflect. Artists through their work will start conversations on colonial and Neo-liberal policies of food production and trade that privilege capital gain over hunger and ecology. Works will offer insights into indigenous wisdom as a key to healing the land and environment, and shine a light on the central role of women as keepers of traditional knowledge and food cultures.

Speaking on the occasion, Niilofur Farrukh, Managing Trustee, KBT said, “Through art, we can approach difficult subjects that impact our lives and bring awareness of its complexities. The conversations on Rizq/ Risk during KB24 will bring together the global urgency of the issues and the collective struggle for food justice. With the tagline of Nai fasal ki umeed ( in the hope of a new harvest) we want the exhibitions to point towards hope and ideas that lead to solutions.”

Almas Bana acknowledged the support of philanthropists and corporate houses towards the Karachi Biennale, as well as the City and Provincial Governments which have always offered heritage spaces and public parks as venues to them, without charge.

Also Read:
KB24: Waheeda Baloch Appointed as Karachi Biennale’s First Female Curator

Since 2022, the Cultural Department of Sindh has opened the doors of the Sambara Art Gallery to the Karachi Biennale.
The curator of KB24, Waheeda Baloch, expanded on her interpretation of the theme and how growing up in Mirpur Khas and working all over Sindh, combined with the time spent in Sweden and Germany for studies, has helped her to bring a global perspective to the issues of Rizq/ Risk.

The Fourth Karachi Biennale will offer three art prizes, the KB24 Juried Prize, the KB24 EBM Emerging Artist Prize, and the Performance Art Prize to acknowledge talent and excellence.

KB24 public programming offers artists’ talks and keynote talks, guided tours, workshops, and a temporary reading room at Bagh Ibne Qasim to create an opportunity for visitors to enjoy viewing art and browsing through books, in the park. Palestinian Artists Live in our Hearts is a small show of works on fabric by art students from all over Pakistan installed at Bagh Ibne Qasim. These works are a tribute to the contribution and courage of the artists of Gaza.

Facts about the Fourth Karachi Biennale KB24:

Dates: October 27 to November 10, 2024
Timings: Weekdays 10 am to 6 pm
Venues: Bagh Ibne Qasim, Clifton; Alliance Francaise, Clifton; Frere Hall, Saddar; NED University, Saddar and Sambara Art Gallery, Stadium Road.
Details of Public Programming available on the website www.Karachibiennale.org.pk

About Karachi Biennale Trust
KBT is a registered Trust, founded in 2016 and its Trustees are visual art professionals and educators.
KBT operates as a non-profit organization and a platform to promote creativity, innovation, and critical thinking in the visual arts. Its flagship project, the Karachi Biennale, is Pakistan’s largest international, contemporary art platform. KBT has already organized three successful Biennales in Karachi from 2017 to 2022.
With the support of the national and international art community and international cultural and educational organizations, the Karachi Biennale Trust has been generously supported by the corporate sector and foreign missions.
KBT has contributed to the further development of the art infrastructure by vitalizing new public art spaces across Karachi, creating a massive art exhibition akin to a pop-up museum of Contemporary Art with works using cutting-edge technology as a medium. All its exhibitions are supported by extensive public programming including projects for youth, to enhance the experience of art and its understanding.

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Waheeda Baloch
FeaturedTrailblazer

KB24: Waheeda Baloch Appointed as Karachi Biennale’s First Female Curator

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A
  • Waheeda Baloch, from Jamshoro, has been appointed as the first female curator for the Karachi Biennale’s fourth edition (KB24), marking a historic milestone.
  • Her dedication to showcasing artists in Sindh’s outskirts has established her as an influential figure, aligning with KB’s mission to challenge norms and promote experimentation.
  • The Karachi Biennale has been transformative in redefining art perceptions in Pakistan, encouraging diverse mediums, inclusivity, and gender diversity in the art scene.

The Karachi Biennale Trust has announced the appointment of Waheeda Baloch, hailing from Jamshoro, as the curator for the fourth edition of the Karachi Biennale( KB24).

Notably, she will be the first female curator in the history of the Karachi Biennale.

Niilofur Farrukh, the CEO and Managing Trustee of KBT, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Waheeda Baloch on board.

Her steadfast dedication to spotlighting artists working in the outskirts of Sindh has established her as an influential figure in the field. Her keen interest in advancing art research, coupled with her interdisciplinary and collaborative approach, consistently offers fresh perspectives.

KB, with its mission to showcase art that challenges contemporary norms and provides a platform for experimentation, eagerly anticipates collaborating with her to fulfil our objectives.”

Waheeda Baloch, originally from Mirpurkhas, Sindh, a region steeped in artistic heritage, has familial ties to literary circles. Her curatorial practice is enriched by her experiences as both an art educator and a performance artist.

She holds a Master’s Degree in Curation from Stockholm University, Sweden, a pursuit that followed her Master’s in Fine Arts from Sindh University. Presently, she serves as an Associate Professor at the Institute of Art and Design, Sindh University, and is pursuing her PhD at the University of Bonn, Germany.

Also Read:
Architect Sumayya Vally Directs World’s First Islamic Arts Bienalle

Waheeda Baloch is the Founder Curator of ArtFest Karachi, hosted at the Sambara Art Gallery. She conceived the framework for this annual exhibition, which has created a platform for artistic and intellectual dialogue among Pakistani artists, establishing it as a non-profit gallery. Her portfolio also includes numerous national and international exhibitions.

Her special interest in discussions related to art history and theory is evident through her regular organization of panels and seminars, as well as her presentation of research papers at national and international conferences. Her articles are frequently featured in books and periodicals.

The Karachi Biennale, often referred to as KB, is a prestigious art event held in the vibrant city of Karachi, Pakistan. It serves as a significant platform for contemporary art, bringing together artists, curators, and art enthusiasts from all over the world. Established to challenge conventional artistic boundaries, the Karachi Biennale has played a transformative role in reshaping people’s perceptions of art in Pakistan.

Through its dynamic exhibitions and installations, KB has effectively pushed the boundaries of what art can be in the Pakistani context. It has encouraged artists to explore new frontiers, experiment with diverse mediums, and tackle pressing social and cultural issues. The Biennale’s emphasis on questioning the times and providing a space for artistic experimentation has not only elevated the status of contemporary art in Pakistan but also contributed to a deeper understanding of art’s role in society.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Karachi Biennale is its commitment to inclusivity. By showcasing art in public spaces and engaging with local communities, it has brought art out of traditional gallery settings and made it accessible to a broader audience. This approach has helped break down barriers between the art world and the general public, fostering a sense of ownership and appreciation for art among ordinary Pakistanis.

Also Read
Pakistani Artist Misha Japanwala Reimagines Her Relationship With Shame, Bodies

Furthermore, the appointment of Waheeda Baloch as the first female curator for KB24 represents a significant milestone in promoting gender diversity in the field of art curation. This reflects the Biennale’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and diversity in the art scene.

In essence, the Karachi Biennale has played a pivotal role in challenging, expanding, and democratising the art landscape in Pakistan. It has ignited conversations, provoked thoughts, and fostered a greater appreciation for art as a means of expression, reflection, and societal change. As it continues to evolve and grow, the Karachi Biennale remains a beacon of artistic innovation, pushing the boundaries of what art can achieve in Pakistan and beyond.

Stay tuned to WOW360.

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Karachi Biennale Holds First Ever PechaKucha Communication Workshop for Emerging Artists Across Sindh in Hyderabad

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

Karachi Biennale Trust (KBT) in collaboration with the Sindh Culture Department, Government of Sindh, held a full-day PechaKucha workshop on August 26, 2023.

Artists under 30 years from Hyderabad, Sukkur, Jamshoro, Naushero Feroz, Khairpur and Karachi participated in this workshop held at Mehran Arts Council, Hyderabad.

Senior students from Institute of Art & Design, University of Sindh, Jamshoro and thesis
students from Shaheed Allah Buksh Soomro University of Art, Design and Heritage, Jamshoro ((SABSU) also got an opportunity to be a part of this workshop.

This event was organized by KBT to help 38 artists starting out in their careers to understand the vital link between art and effective communication for future success, and learn practical skills from leading art experts. The workshop also promoted networking and teamwork.

During the workshop, participants focused on learning how to present their art practice
via PechaKucha, a system developed in Japan in keeping with the concise communication needed in today’s competitive time.

In the introductory session Almas Bana Chairperson of KBT spoke on the mandate of
Karachi Biennale, Pakistan’s largest international contemporary art platform and how it
supports young artists.

In the next session, Niilofur Farrukh, eminent art critic, author and Managing Trustee of KBT discussed the importance of communication and tools to create a narrative around
art practice and cultural context. In the final session, four established art professionals and educators Romilla Kareem, Raheela Abro, Abdul Malik Channa and Saira Danish Ahmed mentored the artists on how to adapt their images and information to the PechaKucha format, followed by a detailed discussion.

The last part of the workshop will take place in September when the participants will
make PechaKucha presentations in Karachi to a jury and compete for the coveted KB
PechaKucha Prize.

Sher Muhammad Mahar, Director Sindh Museum Hyderabad and Saleem Solangi, Deputy Director Culture attended the workshop and recognized the mentors on behalf of the Sindh Culture Department.

Karachi Biennale Trust and Sindh Culture Department, Government of Sindh that share the objective to create opportunities for young artists of Sindh; were collaborating partners for the PechaKucha Workshop and will extend their partnership to other art projects in future.

For queries and photographs please contact Ms. Ambreen Saleh communications@karachibiennale.org.pk

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