- Biographic Note
Muhammad Arsahd Khan as known as `Mak’. His father’s name is Muhammad Azam Khan. MAK was born on February 16, 1972 in Pontia (Tehsil Topi, District Swabi, Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa) and grew up in Mohallah Swatian Serai (a labor colony of Pukhtoon Society) Topi (Topai) which is also the birthplace of Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Khan (the founder of Government High School Topai, Islamia College Peshawar and the first Chief Minister of Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa previously known as North West Frontier Province). Topai is situated under the shade of Mahaban Peak, on the left bank of Abaseen/Indus River. The river, which flows in the middle of Takhtbai and Taxila, is the remnant of the land called a symbol of Gandhara and Indus Civilization. From the might of Alexander the Great and Asoka, to the construction of world’s largest mud dam and Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Science and Technology, Topai is a place of high esteem.
His academic career starts from Government Primary School Shaheedan Topai, and then Government High School Topai, from where he obtained his secondary school certificate. After qualifying intermediate examination his cousin Khalid Zaman took me to Karachi University in 1993. Here he studied Sociology as a major subject with great interest, along with Mass Communication as a subsidiary subject and Community Development and Urban Sociology as specialized subjects in Bachelor of Arts (Honors) and in 1997, he earned a Master of Arts.
He compiled the research thesis work under the title of “Study of The Factors Effecting Maternal and Infant Health in Low Income Groups of Urban” to qualify with a masters degree. His universe for study was Muzzafar Abad Colony, Landhi Industrial Area, Karachi where he is still residing.
Soon after passing out from Karachi University he joined TCS (Private) Limited as Admin Officer on March 19, 1997. From June 1, 1999 he has been promoted as Assistant Manager Administration then Manager Administration from July 1, 2003. He whole-heartedly enjoyed working in his country’s leading international courier company, and looking after the administration of more than 500 offices across the country. His 20 association with TCS has broadened his understanding and knowledge in practical terms and grown up as an international artist and philanthropist.
He had been drawn to art right from his childhood for unknown reasons and with extraordinary abilities. During his childhood he used to draw on the walls of neighbors with the charcoal he pick from garbage. Later during his high school education he used to prepare signboards for his villagers at his own cost. He was the best among his schoolmates but he could not get appropriate guidance to reach to a fine arts school. He is highly grateful to Khalid Zaman who brought him to Karachi. Availing its metropolitan opportunities, he started his artistic journey as an actor from theater. He was the student of Ahmed Farooqui a qualified actor from Puna School of Art, student of music at the Pak American Culture Center where he was the student of Mrs. Ahmed and student politician at Karachi University. Along with his academic career, he was a writer of Theosophical Society Karachi, but nothing satisfied his artistic yearnings. Soon after passing out from Karachi University, and joining TCS he attained the rare opportunity through Mr. Fasihuddin to become the favorite student of the world famous, Pride of Performance award winner painter and Ex-Cultural Attaché for Australia, Mr. Bashir Mirza popularly known as BM. BM started teaching him drawing and painting from September 1997 till his death on January 5, 2000. During this period BM transferred his treasured knowledge of art and socialization to MAK.
In the book “The Last of the Bohemian, Bashir Mirza” written by Marjorie Husain the las chapter has been devoted to his relationship with his father figure teacher. This book starts from his grand teacher Shakir Ali, then describe his teacher BM and last chapter “Mac and Friends “ is named to him. Shafi Aqeel also included my presence in his book titled: Do Musawir Bashir Mirza Aur Azir Zubi.
- Artist’s Statement
Growing up close to nature a country boy in serene landscape with rich historic roots inspired in me a treasured study Literature and Philosophy as well as the achievement of a master degree in Sociology. The years of study enabled me to develop intellectual sensitivity. This quality motivated me to follow ambitious aims and as aspirations achieved through hard work; propelling me to heights of attainment. In my art expression I have developed two styles.
1st Style Impressionist: I use this style mostly to preserve my conscious observations regarding nature, its divine composition and the close relationship with all organic life. In the process I attempt to portray the importance of humanity’s role in nature, tracing the historic changes through times, thus to preserve the past and the present for generations to come.
2nd Style: Deeply inspired by light, line and colors, I initially conceived subtle/exotic shapes on palm. Since then transcending sociopolitical and geographical confinement, I created forms representing spirituality and philosophical contemplation transferred from my imagined visions to the canvas. Art enthusiasts discovered spontaneous schools of thought inn my work style, which initiates a dialogue. Still I am unsure of what movement should I attribute my art to, but I know the more the viewer examines my work the more you he she discovers.
- Artwork Review
The prominent Pakistani art magazine NIGAH has reviewed his works;
The recent unveiling of MAK’s at Grandeur Art Gallery, Karachi provides a stance into the circumstances.
MAK, whose work is known as Mak Art mostly, delves into the living incarnation of human kind. His paintings invoke empathy and enigma and equally enthrals the viewers; taking them into the realm of oblivion.
Each painting tells an unusual story, an oblique murky vein that is apparent yet hidden. The faces, bodies and structures depicted in each painting relate to each other in a unique manner. The bold colours and contrasting mixtures shout for attention and suggest a subtle hint at various genres including racism, politics and religion. Themes for instance repulsion, desires and aversion to both are quite evident in the paintings.
MAK’s large acrylics on canvas are a far cry from the traditionalism. The bright hues reminiscent of many conflicting longing and impossible dreams translate into explicit ideas and notions.
Titles as Gold N Sea, The Centennial of The Ghani Khan, Butterfly Flyaway and the Dawn of the New Millennium, the paintings are an amalgamation of hope, optimism and freedom.
- Credentials
National Shows
2017 International Women’s Day Show, Freer Hall Karachi Mach 10-11, 2017
2009 S. S. Hyder Award Exhibition organized by Abasin Art Council, Peshawar in National Art gallery, Pakistan National Council of The Arts, Ministry of Culture, Pakistan on Tuesday, November 24, 2009
2009 Group show in Arts Council, Karachi, July 20 – 27, 2009
2009 Group show in City Art Gallery, Karachi Wednesday, May 27-30, 2009.
2007 Group show at Jarooka Art Gallery, Islamabad
2007 Group show at Gulmohar Art Gallery Karachi
2004 All Pakistan Allama Iqbal Paintings and Portrait Exhibition in Allama Iqbal Academy Lahore, Pakistan.
2000 Posthumous show of BM organized by Momart Gallery February 5, 2000.
International Shows
2021 The 44th ASROPA International Art Online Exhibition, South Korea, March-April 2021, on the 129th year Anniversary of Korea+Austria diplomacy
2015 On 70th anniversary liberation, independence and freedom of South Korea had conducted from 15th till 21st December 2015 an international exhibition Sandol Arts Center and W Gallery in Gunsan in which they have selected artists from 70 countries
2015 International Art Festival in Munastir Tunisia from 2nd to 12th Septerber 2015
2014 1st Mehmet Nuri Gochen International Art Workshop, Kushadasi (Turkey) organized by International Culture Art Dialogues.
2014 Group exhibition at Old Town, Kushadasi (Turkey) organized by International Culture Art Dialogues.
2014 Group exhibition at Ibramaki Art Gallery, Kushadasi (Turkey) organized by International Culture Art Dialogues.
2013 International Art Festival in Munastir Tunisia from 2nd to 12th Septerber 2013
2012 2nd Annual Conference & Exhibition of World Art Games, in Izmir (Turkey)
2009 “World Art Expo and Conference 09” California, USA June 04 – 14, 2009, organized by World Art Foundation.
2009 1st International Conference on Art and Art Exhibition in Sindh University, Pakistan
2005 15th Istanbul Art Fair “Artist 2005” Istanbul, Turkey.
2004 Second International Art Festival “Chania 2004” Greece.
Collections
2008 Two paintings in Geography Department, University of Zurich, Switzerlan
2002 10 painting Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust Cancer Hospital.
2001 Portrait of Sir, Sahibzada A. Q. Khan the founder of Islamia College Peshawar to Islamia College Peshawar.
Mentioned
Mak is mentioned approximately 25 national and international catalogues and books, among those the following three are exceptional;
- In the Biography on Bashir Mirza, “Bashir Mirza, THE LAST OF THE BOHEMIAN” by Marjorie Husain, starts from the grand teacher Shakir Ali, then Bashir Mirza and the last chapter has been devoted to Mak
- He compiled the Pukhto/Pashto short stories of Tahir Afridi (who never gone to school had written 20 books) and published by the former President of Afghanistan his Highness Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Ghani from Qandahar University Afghanistan.
- Mentioned in the book Risk and the Rupee in Pakistan’s New Economy, written by Antonia Settle, published by Cambridge University Press.
- Book “KHUDAI KHIDMATGAR TEHREEK The Movement of Servant to God”
Auction
2010 Two paintings “GREAT EXPECTATIONS” and “ESCAPE”, oil on canvas, each 30 x 21″, reached to Clark’s Fine Art & Auctioneers Inc. – Liquidating 3 Gallery …. Lot, Lot 158, 600 – 900. Mohammad Arshad Khan (b. 1972) Pakistan
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/7366167
Contributions
2008 Founder member of “Pukhtoon Thinkers Forum” in Karachi for the development of peace, culture, social, literature and art.
2008 Solo demonstration “Mera Aaj Ka Pakistan 2008” against terrorism at Karachi Press Club on January 1, 2008 to bring about peace not only in Pakistan but also in world.
2005 Working on “Personality Development of The Children” through art in Landhi Industrial Area, Karachi.
2003 Upon invitation of Consul General of Turkey I visited The 13th Istanbul Art Fair “Artist 2003”, 2003.
2002 Conducted one day Fine Arts Summer Camp to children in Pakistan Arts Council, Karachi on May 30, 2002.
2000 With the co-ordination of Zafar Akbar (PTV (Pakistan Television) organized and produced a program “Remembering BM” aired on February 15, 2000