Pakistani artist Shazly Khan’s mural, highlighting equality, unity, and tolerance, make it to the American Embassy in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD – American Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale inaugurated two new murals by famed Karachi-based artist Shazly Khan at the American Embassy on June 17. Khan’s vibrant paintings promote the empowerment of women and their role in fostering strong communities.
“The art we unveil today reflects the shared Pakistani and American principles of free expression, community, and equality,” Ambassador Hale said. “During the Holy Month of Ramazan, we honor the principles of tolerance and respect which unite people of all religious faiths. Given this, it’s all the more fitting that we celebrate these universal values through Shazly’s artwork here today.”
The art is intended to evoke a sense of celebration, hope, and unity, according to the artist. “We celebrate life by standing together in solidarity, peace, and love, making our dreams come true,” Shazly Khan said about her art.
In 2015, the Embassy held a competition for Pakistani artists to design murals for the visitors’ area of its consular section. Of the dozens of entries, the Embassy selected Khan’s submissions. Tom Rogan, Consul General at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, said, “The new installation highlights the shared cooperation between Pakistanis and Americans. We are very gratified by Shazly’s contribution of these beautiful and uplifting works of art, which will be viewed by hundreds of Pakistanis and Americans each day as they pass through the Consular Section,” Consul General Rogan said.
More than 80,000 people will see Khan’s paintings each year as they come for consular services at the embassy.
Born in Jeddah, Shazly probably possesses the special quality that the name of that great port city bears. It is named after the grandmother of all humans we remember as Eve. Jeddah, meaning grandmother, has the burial place of Eve and at one time in the past, childless women used to visit there to pray for a child. She may not know it but Piscean-born Shazly’s interest in fertility and fishes may have originated from the port city by the Red Sea where she was born and Mother Eve had lived and was buried.
Shazly Khan now lives in Karachi along with her commercial artist husband, Waseem, and their kids.