Islamabad art space opens with exhibition on emerging artists

ISLAMABAD: FMR Art Space has opened its doors with an inaugural exhibition titled The First Layer: The Beginning of Becoming, bringing together works by emerging, young and mid-career artists in what organizers described as a major showcase of Pakistan’s contemporary art scene.

The exhibition has been curated by miniature artist and curator Farrah Mehmood Rana, a recipient of the Pride of Performance award. It marks the launch of the new creative venue and features graduates of the National College of Arts, Beaconhouse National University and COMSATS University Islamabad.

The show includes 20 artists and up to 50 artworks spanning a wide range of media and artistic practices. The participating artists include Amna Hashmi, Areej Zubair, Dagmer Rauwald, Farida Fatima, Hafsa Iram, Khan Labeeb, Muhammad Junaid, Samreen Asghar, Samreen Rehman, Sidra Ashraf, Shameen Amjad, Dr Tabassum Shaheen, Ufaq Tabassum, Widyan Tarar, Zarin Gul and Zainab Mudassir.

Platform for new artistic practices

The exhibition presents a broad view of the work and development of a newer generation of Pakistani artists alongside more established practitioners. It also includes a group of recently graduated COMSATS artists, reflecting Rana’s stated focus on encouraging and creating opportunities for emerging talent.

Rana’s academic background and her continued commitment to promoting art and culture led to the establishment of FMR studio space and gallery as a venue for exhibitions and other art-related activities.

Explaining the concept behind the opening show, Rana said: "The First Layer symbolises the beginning of becoming - a space where ideas, processes and practices come together to shape new possibilities."

"This exhibition is not simply an opening; it is an invitation into a dialogue, exploration, and deliberate work of artists finding their footing and their voices," she added.

Opening attended by diplomats and collectors

The opening reception was attended by German Embassy Head of Communications, Culture Affairs and Protocol Jan Gerald Krausser and Mher Princess, both of whom were described as noted art collectors.

With its first exhibition, FMR Art Space has positioned itself as a new venue intended to support artistic practice and cultural activity while highlighting both fresh graduates and more established names within Pakistan’s contemporary art landscape.