The year 2015 has brought Pakistan and Russia together in diverse fields from business to military to politics. This growing Pak-Russia friendship can also observed in the artworks by a Russian diplomat-cum-artist whose art exhibit opened here at COMSATS Art Gallery in Islamabad.
The inaugural ceremony of the art exhibition by Russian diplomat Mr. Youri Kozlov, Head of Trade department at the Embassy of the Russian Federation to Pakistan, was a well-attended event.
The Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Pakistan, H.E Mr. Alex Dedov, inaugurated the art exhibition. The Head of International Office Dr. Arshad Salim Malik and the Rector CIIT, Dr.S. M. Junaid Zaidi shared his views with the Chief Guest, H.E, Alex Dedov, regarding the contributions of COMSATS University and its overall seven flourishing campuses in Pakistan.
“This year marked historic progress in Russia and Pakistan relation with breakthrough defence and economic cooperation,” Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Alexey Yurivich Dedov said. He appreciated that the friendship between Russia and Pakistan is also extending from political to cultural zone now.
The art exhibition was jointly organized by Association of Pakistani Graduates from Russia and COMSATS Art Gallery and the International Office at COMSATS institute of Information Technology (CIIT).
“Although I am an amateur artist but it’s great to see support and appreciation of Russian and Pakistani friends for my paintings” Mr. Youri Kozlov said speaking at the exhibition opening. During the show, Yuri Kozlov, explained that the way he works with oil on canvs. His strokes are very strong and color palate is bright.
Russiam diplomat and artist, Yuri Kozlov, was born in Moscow and graduated from Moscow State University in 180. He served Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, worked on the development and improvement of trade and economic cooperation of Russia with the countries of South Asia. Since, 2011, he is serving as head of Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Engr. Iftikhar Ali, General Secretary of APGR, in his speech briefed the participant on the aims of the association, and appreciated Mr. Kozlov for presenting remarkable artwork along with his primary responsibility as head of trade mission. APGR& CIS has organized many different events in past few years such as the celebration of 60 & 65 years in diplomatic relations between Russia & Pakistan, National Day of Russia, victory day, cultural shows, exhibitions.
Association of Pakistani Graduates from Russia is formed by graduates who have studied in the educational institutions at Russia. The association currently has more than 5 thousand members across the country.
COMSATS Institute’s Art department and Curator of COMSATS Art Gallery, Ms. Farrah Mahmood, have been collaborating with different Embassies since last four years for the promotion of international artists in Pakistan and representing Pakistani art in abroad. The art exhibit by Russiam diplomat is the continuation of the promotion of Art and interaction with the artist community.
Dr. Arshad Malik, Head of IO at CIIT appreciated the efforts of the artist Mr.Youri Kozlov and Curator of CAG Ms. Farrah Mahmood for putting up the show and all organizers of the, event Dr. Shahid Hassan, Engr. Iftikhar Ali, with the team.
[dt_gap height=”10″ /]
