CV
Aisha Imdad has the diverse experience of working as an art practitioner, crafts and heritage expert, and educator. She has exhibited her artwork in numerous exhibitions and has been teaching Studio Art, Art History, Design, and Cultural Studies for more than a decade. Her writings on traditional crafts, conservation, and decorative architectural elements have been published on an international level. She has played a primary role in various globally-funded projects in the field of crafts, where she has worked as a Craft Expert and Principal Designer. She is the co-founder and Creative Director of Chaharbagh, a label that promotes Pakistan’s diverse crafts and cultural heritage by working with artisans from various regions of the country. She was the Chairperson and Head of the Department of Art and Design at COMSATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan. She holds a B.F.A. and M.A. (Hons.) in Visual Art from the National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan.
EXPERIENCE
2017-Present: Co-founder and Creative Director, Chaharbagh
2008-Present: Principal Designer, THAAP Crafts (Trust for History of Art and Architecture of Pakistan), Lahore, Pakistan
2019-2020: Head of the Department of Art and Design, COMSATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan
2018-2020: Chairperson of the Department of Art and Design, COMSATS University, Islamabad and Lahore Campus, Pakistan
2011-2021: Associate Professor, COMSATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan
2007-2011: Assistant Professor, COMSATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan
2006-2007: Assistant Professor, National College of Arts, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
2001-2003: Research Assistant, National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan
RESIDENCIES
2023: Land Line, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver, CO
EXHIBITIONS
2023: “7-Point Perspective,” Haam Gallery, Lahore, Pakistan
2023: “The Big Show,” Lawndale Art Center, Houston, TX
2023: “Bona Fide,” Fresh Eye Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
2023: “Juried Floral Art Exhibition,” Studio Pintura, Minneapolis, MN
2023: “BLOOM!” R.W. Norton Art Gallery, Louisiana, and Longview Museum of Fine Arts, Texas
2023: “Kingdom Animalia,” North Suburban Center for the Arts, Fridley, MN
2023: “The 28th Arts North International Juried Exhibition,” Hopkins Center for the Arts, Hopkins, MN
2022: “Eighth Annual NorthStar Watermedia National Juried Exhibition,” NorthStar Watermedia Society, St. Paul, MN
2022: “This is Normal.,” North Suburban Center for the Arts, Fridley, MN
2022: “Spring Juried Floral Art Exhibition,” Studio Pintura, Minneapolis, MN
2021: “Botanical Art and Illustration,” Las Laguna Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
2020: “Chaharbagh Spring/Summer 2020 Collection,” Fashion by Global, Austin, TX
2019: “Celestial Gardens of Paradise,” Islamabad Art Festival, COMSATS Art Gallery, Islamabad, Pakistan
2019: “Chaharbagh Fall/Winter 2019 Collection,” ATX+PAK Shop South Asia, Austin, TX
2018: “Into the Light,” Faculty Exhibition, Department of Art and Design, COMSATS Art
Gallery, Islamabad, Pakistan
2016: “Children’s Exhibition with SOS Village,” COMSATS Art Gallery, Islamabad, Pakistan
2016: “Waiting, I & II,” Fusion of Cultures, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology and the Embassy of China, COMSATS Art Gallery, Islamabad, Pakistan
2012: “Cultural Expressions of South Punjab,” UNESCO, in partnership with THAAP, Serena Hotel, Islamabad, Pakistan
2012: “Promoting Cultural Industries for Poverty Alleviation in District Bahawalpur,” UNESCO and Netherlands Embassy, in partnership with THAAP, Lok Virsa, Islamabad, Pakistan
2012: “Tree of Life, I-V,” International Women’s Day Exhibition, Nomad Art Gallery, Islamabad, Pakistan
2011: “Tree of Life,” Faculty Exhibition, Department of Art and Design, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
2010: “Empowerment of Women Through Crafts,” UNESCO, in partnership with THAAP, Lok Virsa, Islamabad, Pakistan
2008: “Waiting, I,” Institute of Art and Design, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan
2007: “Floating, I & II,” Faculty Exhibition, National College of Arts, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
2005: Thesis Show (M.A. (Hons.), Visual Art), National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan
2005: “Classroom of Enlightenment (Installation Art),” Zahoor-Ul-Akhlaq Gallery, National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan
2004: “Tea Party (Installation),” Installation Art Exhibition, National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan
1993: “Ballerina (Collagraph),” Printmaking Exhibition, American Centre, Lahore, Pakistan
1993: Thesis Show (B.F.A.), National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan
1992: “Tug of War, I & II (Etching),” Exhibition of Young Artists, Alhamra Art Gallery, Lahore, Pakistan
AWARDS
2023: Honorable Mention, “BLOOM!” R.W. Norton Art Gallery, Louisiana, and Longview Museum of Fine Arts, Texas
2023: Second in Watercolor, “28th Arts North International Juried Exhibition,” Hopkins Center for the Arts, Hopkins, MN
2022: Peter Hopper Award of Excellence, “Eighth Annual NorthStar Watermedia National Juried Exhibition,” NorthStar Watermedia Society, St. Paul, MN
2022: People’s Choice Award, “This is Normal.,” North Suburban Center for the Arts, Fridley, MN
PUBLICATIONS
Books
2011: “The Vibrant Heritage of the Traditional Textile Crafts,” chapter in “Cultural Expressions of South Punjab,” edited by Sajida H. Vandal
2011: “The Evolution of Tree of Life as Decorative Element,” research article in “Historiography of Architecture of Pakistan and the Region,” edited by Pervaiz Vandal
Journals
2015: “An Overview of Hand Embellished Textiles of South Punjab, Pakistan,” Humanities and Social Sciences Review
2014: “The Roots of Decorative Motifs of Cholistani Crafts: An Analytical Study,” THAAP Journal: Cultural Roots of Arts & Architecture of The Punjab, edited by Pervaiz Vandal
2012: “Truck Art and Poetry: A Story in Motion,” THAAP Journal: People's History of Pakistan, edited by Pervaiz Vandal
2011 “Analysis of Typological Evolution of Chini-Khanas of the Sethi Haveliis, Mohalla Sethian, Peshawar,” co-authored with Ms. Samra M. Khan, South Asian Studies, Vol. 27, Issue 1
Conference Proceedings
2013: “The Representation of Women in Art and Literature in Pakistan: A Historical Perspective,” Development in Pakistan and Women Inclusive Strategies, Centre of Public Policy, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad
International Cultural Development Project Publications
2019-2021: Authored 10 heritage booklets on the Swat District of Pakistan and produced an animated video on a folktale from the region, “The Amluk Dara Stupa and Naga Appala,” in the UNESCO-THAAP-IAC-NIDA project “Safeguarding the Cultural Heritage through Awareness Raising of the General Public and Mobilizing School Going Youth”
2018: Authored 2 chapters in “Traditional Crafts, Pedagogy & Practice Manuals: Khattati and Naqqashi” for the UNESCO-Republic of Korea Funds-in-Trust project “Sustainable Development and Community Involvement Initiatives for the Implementation of World Heritage Convention”
2014: Co-authored and designed “Training Manual of Color-Coordination & Design Development of Embellished Textiles” for the USAID/MEDA project “Strengthening of Embellished Fabric Value Chain in South Punjab”
2014: Co-authored and designed “Time Management and Quality Control Manual for Women Embellishers” for the USAID/MEDA project “Strengthening of Embellished Fabric Value Chain in South Punjab”
2010: Authored chapter in “Empowerment of Women Through Craft,” a UNESCO and THAAP publication
2009: Authored the report “The Situational Analysis of Multan and Bahawalpur District” for a UNESCO-Norway Cultural Project
Newspaper Publications
2008: “Shah Allah Ditta Caves Need Immediate Preservation,” The News
2007: “Nirankari Gurdwara In Rawalpindi,” The News
2007: “Gem In The Alleys Of Bagh-Sardaran,” The News
ORGANIZED CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, AND EXHIBITIONS
2020: “All Is Pretty,” COMSATS University, Islamabad, in collaboration with Institute of Art and Culture, Lahore (IAC) and WITTE Modern, Netherlands
2019: “An Aesthetic Encounter Between Traditional Arts and Modernity: Ideas, Challenges and Way Forward,” IAF (Islamabad Art Festival)
2018: “Design Pedagogy: Analyzing Current Trends and Shaping the Future,” COMSATS University, Islamabad
2018: “Calligraphy Workshop by Ustad Gohar Qalam,” COMSATS University, Islamabad
2016: “Children’s Art Workshop for SOS Village,” COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad
2015: “1st Harappa International Conference,” COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Sahiwal and Lahore
2007: “History and Memories,” National College of Arts, Rawalpindi
2001: “South Asian Classical Music,” National College of Arts Lahore
PRESENTATIONS
2021: “The Story of Chaharbagh,” Design Society: Artist Talk Series, Fatima Jinnah Women’s University Islamabad, Pakistan
2018: “The History of Philosophy of Art and Architecture as Part of Design Pedagogy: A Case Study,” COMSATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan
2015: “Truck Art and Poetry: A Story in Motion,” 6th International THAAP Conference, Lahore
2015: “An Analytical Study of Timeless Decorative Art and Culture of Harappa,” Harappa International Conference, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
2015: “An Overview of Hand Embellished Textiles of South Punjab, Pakistan,” IJAS Conference, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
2013: “The Roots of Decorative Motifs of Cholistani Crafts: An Analytical Study,” THAAP Conference: Cultural Roots of Art and Architecture of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
2013: “The Representation of Women in Art and Literature in Pakistan: A Historical Perspective,” Development in Pakistan and Women Inclusive Strategies, Centre For Public Policy, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
2011: “The Situational Analysis of Crafts Sector of Multan and Bahawalpur Districts,” All Pakistan National Conference, Lok Virsa, Islamabad, Pakistan
2010: “The Evolution of Tree of Life as Decorative Element,” THAAP International History Conference, Lahore, Pakistan
EDUCATION
2004-2006: Master of Arts (Hons.), Visual Art, National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan
1989-1993: Bachelor of Fine Arts, National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan