Saturday, January 28, 2012

Jimmy Engineer’s In Search of My Master launched in Karachi

Jumbo Editorial Team

Famous artist Jimmy Engineer’s biography titled ‘In Search of My Master’ was launched at the picturesque DA Golf Club in Karachi on January 27. The book, authored by noted art critic, Marjorie Husain, is the maiden venture of the BBCL Publications. Prior to the official launch of the book, an exhibition of Engineer’s work was also held.

Engineer, in his speech, recalled that he was five years old when he began drawing pictures with powder and water colours. At the age of six, he fell ill and the doctors told his parents that both his kidneys had failed. He, recovered, however and has been painting since then.

He had secured admission in the National College of Arts where, despite being passionate about fine arts, he chose for the design section because of better job prospects.

“People ask me why I have made different types of paintings over the years. My reply is simple. Because I consider myself a student of art and would never acquire mastery over it. There’s only one Master, Al Musawwir, and hence the name of the book,” Engineer stated.

He informed the audience that he was involved in more than 50 walks for different causes, having observed a lot of suffering in 1994 while doing a walk from Karachi to Peshawar which prompted him to reach out to the sufferers.

Author Marjorie Husain described ‘In Search of My Master’ as a team effort, adding that the biography talks more about his art rather than emphasizing on Engineer’s social work although the aspect of a social crusader has been mentioned occasionally.

S M Shahid, Arif Bukhari, Pervez Iqbal, Waqar Malik and Atif Bajwa also spoke in the ceremony which was conducted by Tauqeer Muhajir.

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