‘I’ve drawn two male portraits, distinct in their spiritual identities. They both display very similar features in their outlooks with head gear and facial hair, however it is clear that they stand at opposing ends of religious identities.
Faiza Butt, March 2025
From 18th to 20th April, Grosvenor Gallery will return to Art Dubai 2025 with a presentation titled The Male Figure-a two-person exhibition exploring representations of the male figure in contemporary Pakistani art. This showcase will feature works by renowned artists Anwar Saeed (b. 1955) and Faiza Butt (b. 1973).
Artist's talk and walkthrough:
On Friday, 18th April, at 4:00 PM, Faiza Butt will be present at Booth F10 to lead a special artist talk and walkthrough.
About the artists:
Faiza Butt graduated from The National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore in 1993 and later from the Slade School of Fine Art, London in 1999. She is part of one of the most significant generations of contemporary Pakistani artists, alongside peers such as Imran Qureshi, Aisha Khalid, and Rashid Rana.
Regarding her work for Art Dubai 2025, Faiza Butt comments:
"I've drawn two male portraits, distinct in their spiritual identities. They both display very similar features in their outlooks with head gear and facial hair, however it is clear that they stand at opposing ends of religious identities."
Anwar Saeed is a leading painter from Lahore, Pakistan. He graduated from NCA, Lahore in 1978 and later attended the Royal College of Art, London in 1985.
A defining characteristic of Saeed's work is his symbolic use of the male figure to examine human behaviour and reflect on Pakistani society. His work explores the human body as a means to address existential themes-examining personal identity, outer realities, and the tensions between individual desires and societal constraints. Through his depictions, he navigates subjects such as religion, sexuality, and social values.
A senior artist and contemporary of Zahoor-ul-Akhlaq, Saeed has been an inspirational teacher and voice in Lahore's art scene, where he continues to live and work.
