Aqeel Solangi, born in Ranipur, Sindh, is an accomplished artist and educator. A graduate with honors from the National College of Arts, Lahore, he holds two master’s degrees in visual art and fine art from Bath Spa University, UK. Currently an Associate Professor at the National College of Arts, Rawalpindi, he heads the Painting and Sculpture departments.
Solangi’s work has been internationally recognized, and he received the Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust Visiting Artist Fellowship for the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts, London, in 2006. His paintings were part of the 2013 Pakistani Artists’ workshop in China, and a major survey of his work was exhibited at Chawkandi Art in 2019. Aqeel Solangi lives and works in Rawalpindi.
One of his notable series, “Aik Tha Raja… and Aik Thi Rani…,” depicts two string puppets handled from above on a constructed stage-like background. The titles are inspired by a famous Urdu nursery rhyme. Solangi’s fascination with the amalgamation of folklore and folk theater is evident, drawing from his experience as a puppeteer. The paintings reflect the emergence of puppets under a spotlight filled with periwinkle flowers, resonating with his rich background in puppet performances at various cultural venues.
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