Hasan Shahnawaz Zaidi (born 1948 ^[1]) is a Pakistani artist, poet and academic. Zaidi is known for his contributions to visual and literary arts in Pakistan.

Early life and academic career

Zaidi was born in Mandi Bahaudin. He is the brother of Pakistani actor Shehryar Zaidi. Zaidi enrolled at University of the Punjab in 1964 and completed his Masters of Fine Arts in Graphics Design in 1968. ^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}

He joined University of the Punjab's faculty as an associate professor in 1984 and later served as the Principal of the College of Art and Design at the university until May 2008. During his tenure at the University of the Punjab, Zaidi established the Music and Architecture departments at the university. ^{[6] [7] [8] [9]} In 2008, Zaidi joined COMSATS university where he served as an advisor to the Department of Architecture and Design for ten years. ^[10]

In 1998, Zaidi was awarded the Tamgha e-Imtiaz in painting by the Government of Pakistan. In 2014, he received the Pride of Performance award in Art Education. ^{[11] [12] [13]}

Artistic career

Zaidi started his painting career in 1984 as a portrait painter. His artworks also depict socio-cultural themes, including the lower-middle class, exploitation of women, and the state of the environment. His style reflects the influence of Flemish masters' realism, with satirical and social subjects.  Zaidi has participated in over 60 national and international art exhibitions. ^{[14] [15] [16] [17]}

Zaidi published his first poetry collection "Ainadar" in 2001. ^[10] In 2005, Zaidi published an Urdu translation of Rabindranath Tagore's book Gītānjalī. Zaidi's most recent poetry book "Tamasha" was published in 2014. ^{[18] [19] [20]}

Publications

• "A critical appreciation of Arabesque design", Lahore Museum Bulletin, (1995)
• "Fanoon-e-Lateefa Ki Taaleem aur Saqafat", (Urdu), Fanoon Lahore, (1996).
• "The need for Legibility research in Urdu", Journal of Research, University of the Punjab, (1998).
• "Iqbal Ka Nazarya-e-fun (Urdu)", Iqbaliat Lahore, (1999)
• "Khat-e-Nastalique, Aaghaz-o-Asas (Urdu)", Journal of Research, Punjab University (2000).
• "Art & Taboo", Jounral of Sanat, Turkey (2000).
• "Ainadar", Urdu poetry, Asateer Publishers Lahore (2001)
• "Future of Urdu Calligraphy", Journal of Research, Punjab University (2002)
• "Art education in Pakistan", Humanities Journal, Punjab University (2003)
• "Pakistani Mussawari kay pachas saal (urdu)", Fanoon Lahore (2004)
• "Geetanjali", translation of rabindernath Tagore's book in Urdu (2005)
• "Television Production ke Bunyadi Asool", Punjab University Press, (2007)
• "Tamasha", Urdu poetry, Punjab University Press, (2014)
• "Art Kiya hai", Punjab University Press, (2014)

References