Irfan Ahmad Qureshi: Visual Artist, Educationalist, and Curator
Irfan Ahmad Qureshi is a master calligraphist with over 35 years of experience in Islamic and traditional arts. He is known for his exceptional skill in Arabic calligraphic scripts and is titled as “Safeer e Khattati” from Punjab University, Lahore. In addition to his calligraphic expertise, he is also celebrated for his exquisite Texhip work.
As a teacher at the National College of Arts and various institutions, Qureshi has dedicated his life to promoting Islamic arts. He is a dynamic patron of the Muqla Centre of Art at Hast-o-Neest Institute, Lahore, an NGO that promotes traditional arts. He is also a patron of the Centre for Conservation and Restoration Studies of NCA, Lahore, and prestigious educational institutions like Kinnaird College and the University of Central Punjab, Lahore.
Born into a family of calligraphists, Qureshi has been honing his talent since a young age. He received the “Ijaza” (permission) to practice calligraphy in 1992 and was formally recognized as a master practitioner of this art by Pakistan’s National College of Arts, Lahore, in 2007, through the award of the first-ever diploma in this field.
Irfan Ahmad Qureshi’s awe-inspiring works of art, both calligraphic masterpieces and paintings, adorn the walls of Dabistan-e-Iqbal, Lahore, since its establishment in 2012. His paintings depicting the history of Pakistan’s Independence Movement in the thematic Museum created at Wahga international border (commissioned by Pakistan Rangers, Punjab) have been highly acclaimed as spectacular works of art.
Irfan Ahmad Qureshi has contributed to the promotion of Islamic arts through various conferences and events. He heralded the “International Conference on Islamic Art & Architecture” organized under the auspices of National College of Arts, wherein he presented a well-researched paper on “Hamara Rasm-ul-Khat” and curated the entire event in 2008. Similarly organized the “Sarir-e-Khama International Conference” on behalf of Punjab University – College of Art and Design in 2012, which featured his highly appreciated research paper titled “Barr-e-Sagheer mein Funn-e-Tahzeeb ka Safar”. He is also the founder of International Islamic Arts Festival.
Currently, Qureshi is working on the Quran project, which will represent and showcase his extraordinary devotion to Islamic arts. His dream is to promote Islamic arts and culture across the world, and he has already achieved significant success in this endeavor.
Through his solo shows of art, Qureshi has mesmerized audiences with his exceptional skills and creativity. His paintings and calligraphic works have been displayed all over the world, including the USA, UK, France, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai, among other places. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including awards from the Punjab Council of Arts, National College of Arts, and Pakistan Arts Council.
Irfan Ahmad Qureshi passion for Islamic arts is evident in his work, which is a fusion of tradition and modernity. He is one of the most celebrated calligraphists and artists of our time, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of artists.
As a teacher at the National College of Arts and various institutions, Qureshi has dedicated his life to promoting Islamic arts. He is a dynamic patron of the Muqla Centre of Art at Hast-o-Neest Institute, Lahore, an NGO that promotes traditional arts. He is also a patron of the Centre for Conservation and Restoration Studies of NCA, Lahore, and prestigious educational institutions like Kinnaird College and the University of Central Punjab, Lahore.
Born into a family of calligraphists, Qureshi has been honing his talent since a young age. He received the “Ijaza” (permission) to practice calligraphy in 1992 and was formally recognized as a master practitioner of this art by Pakistan’s National College of Arts, Lahore, in 2007, through the award of the first-ever diploma in this field.
Irfan Ahmad Qureshi’s awe-inspiring works of art, both calligraphic masterpieces and paintings, adorn the walls of Dabistan-e-Iqbal, Lahore, since its establishment in 2012. His paintings depicting the history of Pakistan’s Independence Movement in the thematic Museum created at Wahga international border (commissioned by Pakistan Rangers, Punjab) have been highly acclaimed as spectacular works of art.
Irfan Ahmad Qureshi has contributed to the promotion of Islamic arts through various conferences and events. He heralded the “International Conference on Islamic Art & Architecture” organized under the auspices of National College of Arts, wherein he presented a well-researched paper on “Hamara Rasm-ul-Khat” and curated the entire event in 2008. Similarly organized the “Sarir-e-Khama International Conference” on behalf of Punjab University – College of Art and Design in 2012, which featured his highly appreciated research paper titled “Barr-e-Sagheer mein Funn-e-Tahzeeb ka Safar”. He is also the founder of International Islamic Arts Festival.
Currently, Qureshi is working on the Quran project, which will represent and showcase his extraordinary devotion to Islamic arts. His dream is to promote Islamic arts and culture across the world, and he has already achieved significant success in this endeavor.
Through his solo shows of art, Qureshi has mesmerized audiences with his exceptional skills and creativity. His paintings and calligraphic works have been displayed all over the world, including the USA, UK, France, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai, among other places. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including awards from the Punjab Council of Arts, National College of Arts, and Pakistan Arts Council.
Irfan Ahmad Qureshi passion for Islamic arts is evident in his work, which is a fusion of tradition and modernity. He is one of the most celebrated calligraphists and artists of our time, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of artists.
- Engaged in Calligraphy & Illumination at the National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan (since 2020).
- Worked as Visiting faculty member, University of Central Punjab, Lahore Visiting Faculty for Calligraphy and Illumination Kinnaird College for women, Lahore, Pakistan.
- Project Director Hand Written Quran Project “Mushaf-e-Pakistan” at Topical Quran Project, Lahore, Pakistan.
- Director Institute of Islamic Art and Culture, Lahore, Pakistan.
- Founder Member of Hast-o-Neest Institute of Traditional Studies and Art, Lahore Pakistan.
- Worked as a teacher of Illumination (Tezhib) at CCRS (Centre for Conservation and Restoration Studies) National College of Arts Lahore Pakistan. (2008-2011)
- Curated Sarir-e-Khama art of the pen International Exhibition of Calligraphy 2012 College of Art and Design University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
- Member Organizing Committee Sarir-e-Khama art of the pen International Conference on Calligraphy 2012. College of Art and Design University of the Punjab, Lahore Pakistan.
- Curated Exhibition of Calligraphy titled NASTALIQ and delivered a Lecture on “Hamara Rasmul-Khatt” in International Conference of Islamic Arts and Architecture (ICIAA2008) National College of Arts. Lahore Pakistan.
- Member Organizing Committee International Conference of Islamic Arts and Architecture (ICIAA2008) National College of Arts, Lahore Pakistan.
- Curator International Exhibition of Calligraphy in Collaboration with IRCICA TURKEY at Gift University Gujranwala / Alhamra, Lahore. 2007
Leadership
- Founder International Islamic Arts Festival
- Co-Founder AIWAN-E-ILM-O-FUNN (Est.since 1990). Rendered many services for the promotion of calligraphy and art under the Aiwan’s banner. These included meetings, seminars, exhibitions and publications.
- General Secretary of Calligraphers Association of Pakistan.
- Member Management Committee Dabistan-e-Iqbal Lahore
- Founding member Hast-o-Neest Institute of Traditional Studies and Art
Notable Exhibition
May 2015 | Tamam-e-Alam Mast Exhibition of Calligraphy Selected Poetry of Maulana Rumi Koel Art Gallery Karachi |
March 2015 | Springtide the exhibition Varying colours of Islamic calligraphy DHA Library, Lahore. |
August 2014 | Noon wal Qalam, Hast-o-Neest Gallery, Lahore |
January 2013 | Rubayat of Umer Khayam National Art Gallery, Islamabad |
December 2012 | Rubayat of Umer Khayam Gallery 6, Islamabad. |
August 2012 | “Sahib-il-Taji wal-Mi`raj” A tribute to the Prophet(SAW) Calligraphy of Darood-e-Taj |
November 2011 | Tamame Alam Mast Exhibition of Calligraphy Selected Poetry of Maulana Rumi |
August 2011 | “Sayyidul Kawnayni Wa Thaqalayn” In Honor of the Prophet (SAW) |
January 2010 | Sab `am-Min-al-Masani “The Seven Oft-Repeated Verses” Commemorating 1400 Years of the Quranic Revelation |
Group Exhibition
2018 | Calligraphy Exhibition on the Name of Prophet Muhammad Alhamra Art Gallery, Lahore |
2018 | International Exhibition of Calligraphy Kazan Kremlin, Russia |
2018 | “Mojaza-e-Fann” National Exhibition of Calligraphy,Punjab Institute of Quran and Seerat Studies, Lahore, Pakistan |
2018 | Alif “Message of Peace through Calligraphy” United Nations Office, Geneva, Switzerland |
2018 | AL-QALAM” International Calligraphy Exhibition Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA), Islamabad, Pakistan |
2012 | “Variations along the Grid” Koel Art Gallery Karachi |
2012 | Tamame Alam Mast Exhibition of Calligraphy Selected Poetry of Maulana Rumi |
2010 | Sarir-e-Khama International Exhibition of Calligraphy, University of the Punjab Lahore, Pakistan |
2010 | Media and Calligraphy Alhamra Art Gallery, Lahore Pakistan |
2010 | Adab and Khatati Alhamra Art Gallery, Lahore Pakistan |
2010 | NASTALIQ Zahoor-ul-Ikhlaq Gallery, NCA. Lahore Pakistan. |
2010 | IRCICA International Exhibition of Calligraphy, Convention Centre Islamabad. |
2010 | National Exhibition of Calligraphy Officers Club Gujranwala, Pakistan. |
2010 | Media and Calligraphy Alhamra Art Gallery, Lahore Pakistan |
2010 | International Exhibition of Calligraphy Convention Centre Kualalmpur Malaysia |
- 45 Paintings and Murals for Azadi Museum, Wagah Border, Lahore, Pakistan.
- Architectural Calligraphy Punjab Secretariat Mosque, Lahore in the sphere of Calligraphy and Illumination.
- Architectural Calligraphy with Gold at Jamia Masjid Salli Town, Lahore.
- Architectural Calligraphy and Ornamentation at Numania Masjid inside Bhati Darwaza, Lahore
- Architectural Calligraphy and Ornamentation at Markazi Masjid Model Town, Gujranwala
- Calligraphic Work in “KUFIC” at Darbar Chistia, Sialkiot Road, Gujranwala.
- Done spheres like Canvas Painting, Dado, Ornamental and Decorative Works etc
Publications
Kelk-e-Khursheed Nastaliq Lahori |
Sarir-e-Khama Art of the Pen – Coffee table book |
Fann-ul-Qalam Explorations of Calligraphy |
Nastaliq Urduvi Exploration of Calligraphy |
Khoorasa Nastaliq Urduvi Calligraphy Exploration |
Khoorasa Thuluth Exploration of Calligraphy |
Awards
2007 | ICII – National Collage of Arts Member of Organising Committee |
2012 | Safeer-e-Khatati Title Title given by Punjab University for his Extraordinary performance in the field of Art |
2018 | Mojaza-e-Fann National Exhibition of Calligraphy,Punjab Institute of Quran and Seerat Studies, Lahore,Pakistan |
2019 | Nominee for Pride of Performance Government of the Pakistan. |
2023 | Nigah Art Award |