A passionate soul

woman@work

Qudsia Rahim graduated from the National College of Arts (NCA) in the discipline of Fine Arts (Sculpture) with Honors. She then pursued her Masters in Fine Arts at Alfred University in New York, with a major in Glass Sculpture. She has since worked in art academia, first at Alfred University, New York and later as an Associate Professor at the National College of Arts, Lahore.

Ms Rahim is actively involved in mentoring and overseeing studio practice in the Fine Arts Department. Additionally, she is the appointed Curator for Zahoor-ul-Akhlaq Gallery at NCA and during her term has organised many significant art exhibitions, both at home and abroad. Her curatorial practice is not contained by an institution and she has independently conducted noteworthy research driven exhibitions that offered important original insights including Stet, a contemporary art exhibition at the Lahore Literary Festival 2014.

Ms Rahim has also worked on a number of international exchange and artists’ residency programs over the years. Ms Rahim designed and oversaw a new academic programme at the National College of Arts titled ‘Art for Humanity’ that sought to bridge the gap between art and social responsibility. The programme is currently in its third cycle and has so far conducted a number of important art interventions including one at the Mayo Hospital, Lahore. She has helped develop art curricula at a number of schools and, at present, is also working on a literacy awareness programme for children. This week You! talks to Qudsia regarding her work as a curator and director of LBF…

You! How long have you been working as a curator?

Qudsia Rahim: I moved back to Pakistan in 2008 and joined the Zahoor Ul Akhlaq Gallery, NCA, as a curator. Since the gallery had been inactive for some time, I managed to set it up for offering local opportunities as well as international linkages. I spent over six years at the gallery working on exchange programmes, linkages and shows. I formed the Lahore Biennale Foundation in 2014 and continue to curate in various capacities through the LBF.

You! What is the most interesting aspect of your work?

QR: Being able to create opportunities for others is perhaps the most interesting aspect of my work - to be able to work with the government and the corporate sector by bringing them together to support the arts and other associated programmes, creating jobs, promoting alternative point of views through collateral events, and inviting artists across disciplines from around the world to come and work in Pakistan. These are so many aspects that make me excited to wake up and start afresh and go to work each day.

You! Tell us about your ‘Art for Humanity’ programme at NCA?

QR: The programme was designed to bring the students out of the classroom and into the field where they would contribute through their respective discipline. This was the first time I worked with this unique model of governmental and public-private partnership that brought in funds allowing art students to go and work in real life situations. This is a model I continue to work with even today.

You! What are your current areas of focus?

QR: As a Director of the Lahore Biennale Foundation (LBF) and as an Executive Director, I am engaged in creating new opportunities, including programming opportunities for the Foundation. In this regard, I am responsible for knowing our artistic landscape, supporting artists, and addressing issues relevant to our time and to our local and global concerns. As a Foundation that focuses on contemporary arts, we have developed several important programmes in the last few years.

You! Being a woman, what kinds of challenges do you encounter?

QR: It is tough as a woman in any field and we face all kinds of challenges. LBF has always championed women being at the front and centre of its work. We have a majority female team. In the past we have had artSPEAK, or talks on this very issue where we highlight the challenges and strengths of professional women. Personally, in Lahore, I have been lucky to work in a supportive community of governmental alliances, artists’ communities where both men and women are progressive and eager to learn from each other. My father nurtured me as a fearless person.

You! What do you think are the main issues being faced by Pakistani women today?

QR: They face multiple issues, for example women should have equal opportunities as men do. I also think that men in our society generally feel threatened by strong women and that is not a helpful or progressive attitude. There are exceptions of course, and I have worked with some incredibly supportive people.

You! How do you see the art scene of Pakistan today?

QR: We have some of the oldest civilisations in the world - our understanding of arts, culture, traditions and history is very refined and developed and we are very aware of it as a society. I think this is a very healthy environment that we live in today. If we take the example of the recent second Lahore Biennale, we saw that so many artists and audiences participated from all over the globe. These included the art world’s leading names like Wael Shawky and John Akomfrah. And we had participants from all over the country, and young and emerging talent, for example with the inclusion of a few recent art school graduates from both urban and remote parts of Pakistan. In that respect I say we are thriving in regards to contributing towards a healthy and diverse art scene in Pakistan.

You! What is the most important advice you can give to aspiring women artists?

QR: To work hard and to keep following one's dreams. Resilience pays off. The change we would like to see in our society will come from us - so perseverance is the key.

You! What does a typical day look like for you?

QR: A lot of time devoted to work! I try to spend my spare time with family and friends, who are usually upset with me for not spending more time with them.

You! How do you maintain work-life balance?

QR: Sometimes I feel I don’t maintain a balance - I think all professional women some time in their lives feel this guilt and then overcompensate. But I have grown up seeing my mother work, and I have seen my sisters, friends and colleagues work. I see them balancing their lives in the most beautiful ways and do justice to both family and work. I take inspiration from all of them.

You! Your philosophy of life:

QR: I just live it and savour every moment. Especially these days, life is teaching us the value of little things, to respect nature and live humbly.

You! How do you unwind?

QR: With family and friends. But mostly I cherish time spent with my daughter.

You! Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

QR: As Executive Director of LBF, I would like the Foundation to expand its Research Unit by investing heavily in research based opportunities in Pakistan, helping artists realise their works through production grants, curatorial and exhibition design opportunities. What we are missing in Pakistan is a contemporary arts museum, and hopefully one day we will be able to build it too.