- Two weeks ago, Safdar Ali Soomro discovered one of his two missing paintings on the ARY television show “Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum.”
- Soomro stated that he submitted it for display at Frere Hall in 2017 but was later informed that they had ‘gone missing.’
KARACHI: It sounds like a plot straight out of a mystery novel. A group exhibition takes place, and after the show, one artist inquires about his two paintings on display. He learns that his artworks have vanished. A couple of years later, he spots those two paintings in a scene from a TV drama and feels utterly confused by the discovery. It does sound mysterious, but what if it ends disappointing? Then the whole enigma would evaporate into thin air.
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Art Mystery
This reference points to the claim made by artist Seffy Soomro from Daharki. He states that he displayed two of his paintings at an exhibition held at Frere Hall in 2017. Once the show ended, Soomro asked the organizers about his artworks and received the disappointing news that they had disappeared. Accepting this answer, he moved on. Fast forward seven years, he sees his works of art featured in a room in the TV play Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum. Annoyed and furious, he shares his story on social media, accusing the Frere Hall administration of the unfortunate turn of events.
Clarification
As the news spread like wildfire, Frere Hall officials released a statement claiming they had advertised after the exhibition that artists could reclaim their paintings from 2017. The production house responsible for the drama also clarified that it rented the location for the scene, along with the assets seen in it.
Curator Response
KMC’s Senior Director of Culture and Sports, Raza Abbas Rizvi, confirmed, “Yes, his paintings are there. The procedure requires anyone displaying their work to receive a receipt from us. Once the show concludes, they return the receipt and take back their artwork. We still ask him to provide the receipt to reclaim his paintings.”
Organizer Response
Responding to Soomro’s allegation that officials informed him his paintings had gone missing, Mr. Rizvi said, “He could have shown us the receipt and held us accountable then. Moreover, the usual understanding is that the organizers aren’t responsible for those who come to collect their artwork after a month. This entire situation seems designed to create social media hype.”
Thesis Claim
The artist revealed that these works were part of his thesis for the University of Sindh’s Fine Arts Department, highlighting their personal and academic significance. “I have proof of this,” he added. “Now I want to take back my paintings, and I also seek compensation because my works may have been used in other places apart from the drama I saw,” he stated.
TV Show Features Artist’s Paintings: Areej Chaudhary Praises Depth
In the TV show, actors Emmad Irfani and Areej Chaudhary admire the paintings that Soomro claims as his. Chaudhary’s character, Natasha, remarks on one of them, “The painting is beautiful. The artist has expressed human emotions with such depth.”
Production Company Responds
Following Soomro’s post, Big Bang Entertainment, the production company behind Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum, issued a statement distancing itself from the issue, clarifying that the location used for the scene and the assets, including the paintings, were rented.
Inquiry launched
In response to public outcry, Sindh Cultural Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah established a two-member committee consisting of the Director General of Culture and the Director General of Antiquities. This committee is tasked with investigating the matter and presenting a report to the minister. Shah stated that appropriate action would be taken if any negligence or wrongdoing is found.
The inquiry committee stated that they gathered information about the painting from the Frere Hall administration, including Senior Culture and Sports Director Abbas Raza Razvi and Culture Deputy Directors Mansoor Ahmed and Abdul Abbar Sheikh, to support their findings.
The report also noted that despite the paintings being moved for exhibitions, the artist had “shown no interest in retrieving his works.”
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