Islamic Calligraphy Meets Abstract Expressionism: Ismail Gulgee’s Art

In 2007, Pakistan heard the tragic news of the death of one of its most prominent artists, Ismail Gulgee — a murder, no less, in his own house. His death is a mystery that is yet to be solved but his work has continued to mesmerise.

Gulgee (1926 — 2007) was born in Peshawar and didn’t start out training to be a painter — he got his engineering degree at the best schools in India and America but taught himself how to paint as well as sculpt on the side. Early on in his life, he worked and taught at the same time. Through this, he started getting commissioned for portraits. In fact, this is where he received most of his acclaim as his portraits caught the attention of dignitaries and royals. He was soon the portrait artist of the Afghan Royal family, princes of Saudi as well as the Aga Khan. Some of his portraiture were not in traditional materials, like this mosaic done entirely in lapis lazuli — fitting individual pieces of the stone into the portrait.

Despite his acclaimed portraiture, Gulgee shifted to more abstract themes later. In particular, his calligraphic work was uniquely abstract and gestural while being inspired by broader Islamic traditions of calligraphy. Abstract expressionism was the rage in America during the years he lived there and that undoubtedly influenced him.

Source: Clifton Art Gallery

Source: Pinterest

Source: Artciti