Art is what keeps people’s sanity intact, especially during hard times. Art transcends boundaries limited by geography and time. Therefore, by extension, artists are a window to any nation’s soul. It is imperative on a people who want to live an enriching life and want to be remembered for long, in history, to protect their artistic tradition, give a safe space to artists and let culture flourish.
The Commune Artist Colony is one such space that allows artists to freely express themselves, in Karachi.
It’s the brainchild of Yousuf Bashir Qureshi, himself an artist, who has a knack for bringing out the beauty in the most ordinary places. This is what he has done at Commune Artist Colony which was a regular tobacco warehouse, and has been turned into a safe haven for all the artists in Pakistan.
The commune’s walls contain murals and paintings that depict the true cultural face of Pakistan. Using strokes of bold colors, every wall displays an amalgam of art, culture and traditions, trying to decipher the core of Pakistan. The warehouse contains multiple facilities including a studio where regularly video and photography shoots happen.
Just the entrance of Commune will transport you to an era when everything was pure and raw
Here’s YBQ, the man behind this commune, chilling in his jhoola at the commune
The jhoola is dolled up with all things Pakistani such as malaas (heavy necklaces), jhumkay, and even a desi handy fan.
If every work place has such a breathtaking meeting room, no one would dread working any day of the year
All the walls with vibrant colors bringing out the artists’ vision of the world *_*
The hallways and corridors of the commune are adorned with the absolutely breathtaking work of the artists
Commune houses various artists from painters to sculptors, from carpenters to performers including dancers, singers and more
Art sure does need to be protected and we can’t wait to see something similar done in other parts of the country as well.