Karachi celebrates global creativity

The fourth edition of the international art exhibition ‘Peace & Pieces’ was inaugurated on Thursday by Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, as part of the ongoing 39-day World Culture Festival 2025. The event was held at the Ahmed Pervez Art Gallery and attracted a diverse crowd of art lovers from across the city.

Mayor Wahab described Karachi as a city of “love and hospitality”, home to nearly 30 million residents, and praised the festival for turning the city into a hub of cultural activity. He expressed his gratitude to Arts Council Chairman Ahmad Shah for bringing together both local and international artists to celebrate creativity.

The exhibition features works by world-renowned artists such as Kelechi Nwaneri from Nigeria, Adjaratou Ouedraogo from Burkina Faso and Greek artists Sofia Maria Xenaki and Aglaia Perraki, alongside prominent Pakistani names such as Amin Gulgee, Akram Spaul, Basil Habib, Hamza Ali Qazi and Hai. The diverse collection spans many styles and mediums, reflecting a fusion of cultural expressions.

The opening was also attended by Marc Piton, Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the French Embassy, ​​along with a large audience of visual arts enthusiasts. Mayor Wahab emphasized the role of cultural exchange in promoting global understanding, stating that collaboration between local and international artists shows how art can bring communities together.

As well as celebrating art, the Mayor announced plans to replace the city’s wall advertisements with murals in collaboration with French muralists and confirmed that renovation work has begun on the long-closed Faizy Rameen Auditorium. “This is the Karachi I heard about in my childhood: full of life, culture and creativity,” he remarked.

‘Peace & Pieces’ will remain open throughout the festival, providing a platform for artists to showcase their work and engage with the public, enhancing Karachi’s position as a vibrant hub of art and culture.