Painting fear off the city

Karachi
With the State intentionally suppressing art as a means for progressive activism, it was but natural for Pakistanis to become as intolerant a nation as they are today. Keeping in consideration a lack of platforms for the youth to express its opinions, it could safely be said that the status quo is no way near the breaking point.
However, five individuals may well be on their way to make a dent in the current state of affairs. Adil Jadoon, Shahbaz Zahid, Arsalan Khan, Muntazir Mahdi and Nabeel Dodi launched a peace campaign on Friday in collaboration with a team of 10 graffiti artists titled “Rebel”, by organising a wall-art activity adjacent the PSO headquarters in Clifton.
Zahid, a media person, while speaking about his association with the campaign, said he had seen all sorts of absurd messages on Karachi’s walls including hate sloganeering and the initiative was to counter hate speech while simultaneously beautifying the city. “It’s almost as if we have as a nation forgotten the importance of a good environment,” he added.
Khan, also a journalist, spoke about the absence of local governments affecting the participation of the masses in the country’s state of affairs at all levels. “We need art for a social change! We have to get the society out of this cycle of depression and frustration.”
Expressing disappointment over the city being in constant highlight because of its number of killings, Khan said that a private school denied its students the permission to participate in the activity over security concerns.
Jadoon, a passionate photographer who excessively travels and has an eye for beauty, said creativity was not something you could put a stop to. “The more you suppress art, the more rebels you make way for.”
He said there was reluctance to accept social change, “Such things never have and never will go down well for any country. The sooner we get comfortable with the reality, the better,” he added.
Mahdi, the founder of youth organisation “Lets Build On”, disagreed with the notion that Karachi was not a peaceful city, “The city’s peace-loving dwellers make the city beautiful; we are only working to further beautify it,” he added.
Faizan Ahmed Sheikh, the head of the “Rebel” team, happens to be one of the first graffiti artists of the country. He said it was essential to promote a soft image of the city by organising such vibrant activities.
Sheikh, who also claims to be the only artist who has approached 100 walls, said it was time young artists were provided with a platform to further hone their creativity.
Other graffiti artists in the team include Bilal alias Knox, Abdul Moeed alias Lilem, Zoya, Annie Ejaz alias Mirch, Mir Mahad Ali alias Blaze, Shahrukh Siddiqui alias Hightive, Khan alias Hamza Khan, Steve and Tim.
The organisers further plan to carry out the activity on MT Khan Road and Shahrah-e-Quaideen and in Azizabad and Lyari. MNA Ali Raza Abidi and MPA Faisal Subzwari also attended the event and supported the cause.