Alliance Française Karachi
Alliance Française is a non-profit organisation that promotes cultural exchange between Pakistan and France through interdisciplinary discourse by holding exhibitions, performances, lectures, and workshops. Matching the hues of a sunset, the yellow building resembles a Colonial Era villa with a courtyard in the centre—a sight that contrasts with the glass and concrete architecture of the metropolis. This was designed by Pakistan's leading architect Habib Fida Ali in the 1980s. Its Art Gallery has been an important not-for-profit space in Karachi and has hosted many important shows since its inception. Recently it was refurbished and renamed Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Art Gallery. It was one of the venues of the first Karachi Biennale.
Exhibiting Artists
NED City Campus
The Nadirshaw Eduljee Dinshaw University, popularly known as NED, was founded in 1921, making it one of the oldest universities in Pakistan. Initially, the institution solely aimed to train civil engineers, but now areas of study range from science to architecture, and its coursework is a testament to cross-disciplinary academic exchange. In 2001, the university started the restoration of its old campus buildings, which are located in the heritage core of Karachi.
Exhibiting Artists
Frere Hall
Frere Hall stands stubborn in its purpose, depicted by its Gothic-style architecture and communal gardens in the heart of Karachi. Built in 1863 to serve as a town hall, Frere Hall now functions as a library and exhibition space. Its first floor occupies the Sadequain Gallery, which is named after the artist whose iconic mural titled Ilm o Amal is painted on the ceiling of the large hall. After 1947, Frere Hall housed archaeological artifacts that were later moved to the National Museum. Its grounds have been the site of countless important colonial and post-independence ceremonies. It was one of the 12 venues of the first Karachi Biennale.
Exhibiting Artists
IVS Gallery
The Gallery is located at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture. The IVS Gallery is housed in the reconstructed 100-year-old Nusserwanjee Building. The building was dismantled at its original location in Kharadar. The stone pieces were transported and used to reconstruct the old building at its current site in 2001. It was the venue of the first Karachi Biennale.
Exhibiting Artists (Group)
Bagh Ibne Qasim
This is Karachi's largest urban park. Built in 2007 to commemorate the historic figure of Muhammad Bin Qasim, it stretches over 130 acres and within its grounds are located a cluster of heritage buildings. This includes the bandstand, an elevated pergola graciously donated by Kawasji Hormusji Katrak almost a century ago. The Kothari Parade, a pavilion, and the Lady Lloyd Promenade Pier were gifted to the city in the 1920s by Sir Jehangir Hormasji Kothari, an eminent philanthropist.
Bin Qasim (Sector 1)
Bin Qasim Park (Sector 2)
Bin Qasim (Sector 3)
Karachi Zoo
The Karachi Zoo remains an untold tale of transformation, boasting a unique historical trajectory of once being the site of an East India Company factory in 1799. Although in 1833, the government reclaimed the gardens under the name of Sarkari Bagh, only to be transferred to the municipality in 1869 and renamed as Rani Bagh. Evolving into a space for political gatherings, in 1934, the site became Mahatma Gandhi Garden. Following the independence of Pakistan, the name was officially changed to Zoological Garden. Today, the Garden attracts a large number of visitors. It is home to some of the oldest trees in the city and its dense vegetation serves as lungs for a densely populated area of old Karachi.
Exhibiting Artists
VM Art Gallery
In June 1987, Mr. Mohammad Aly Rangoonwala, a prominent industrialist, established the non-profit V.M. Art Gallery with a focus on supporting and exhibiting the artistic endeavours of local as well as international artists, unfettered by commercial impetus. It is located on the first floor of the ZVMG Rangoonwala Community Hall. In the last three decades, its founding curator/director Riffat Alvi has been instrumental in developing VM Gallery as an art hub, particularly for emerging artists. It was the venue of the first Karachi Biennale.