By Zahid Karani
KARACHI: NJV School unveiled Muraqqa-e-Sheher, meaning The City’s Album, in Karachi, in an exhibition that brought together established artists and emerging creative practice in a showcase of urban and cultural expression.
The exhibition was curated by Romila Kareem and hosted by Farzana Tunio, and it drew attendance from members of the art community as well as the media. It presented a diverse group of artists exploring the urban and cultural fabric of the region and marked a notable shift in the school’s creative direction alongside the launch of a new diploma programme aimed at raising standards in vocational arts education in Pakistan.
The exhibition also served as a platform connecting established practitioners with academic development, and it remained open for public viewing through 15 May.
Farzana Tunio, described as an advocate for cultural preservation at NJV School, said the exhibition reflected the institution’s commitment to creating a space where art, history and education came together. She said that by linking traditional craftsmanship with contemporary discussion, the school aimed to provide students with a strong foundation to succeed internationally.
The exhibition featured a curated selection of artists including Meher Afroz, Abdul Jabbar Gul and Furrukh Shahab, and also included Shahana Munawwar, Adnan Mairaj, Hassnain Awais, Munawwar Ali Syed and Nusrat Khawaja. It was presented as a cultural narrative of the city through visual practice, highlighting the idea of the “City’s Album” as a lens on urban life and experience.
The NJV Art and Design Department, part of NJV School, said the exhibition represented a key moment in its academic and creative direction, validating its vision for artistic excellence through engagement with established figures in the field. It also said the event supported momentum for its upcoming diploma programme, which it said would set a new benchmark for vocational and creative arts education in Pakistan.
The department, under the leadership of Farzana Tunio, said its aim was to nurture future artists through structured academic programmes and high-profile exhibition platforms, while continuing to honour heritage and encourage innovation.
Curator Romila Kareem was credited with shaping the exhibition’s concept and presentation, which organisers said bridged academic study with professional artistic practice and encouraged dialogue between tradition and contemporary expression.
