PESHAWAR: Senior artist Abid Zaman is making significant strides in Pakistan’s fine arts landscape by championing visual narratives rooted in regional identity.
With more than 20 years of dedicated practice across various artistic forms, the artist from Nowshera district has carved out a distinctive niche in the country’s contemporary art circles.
His works masterfully fuse indigenous aesthetics with elements of global modernism, offering viewers captivating glimpses into the subtle dance of light and shadow across local architectural marvels.
Mr Zaman told this scribe that his creative path was grounded in solid academic credentials. He earned his Master of Arts degree in Fine Arts with a focus on painting from Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology (SUIT) in Peshawar.
Abid Zaman wants to establish specialised regional academy
Seeking to hone his expertise in the challenging medium of watercolours, he later pursued an advanced training programme at International Watercolour Society (IWS) School Pakistan. This comprehensive preparation has enabled him to experiment boldly and elevate traditional techniques, resulting in a flourishing career marked by displays in leading galleries both at home and abroad.
The artist’s impressive body of works highlights an exceptional command of watercolours, vividly portraying the nuanced textures, atmospheric effects and rich cultural legacy of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. His pieces have graced numerous important shows.
Within Pakistan, notable appearances include 9th National Exhibition organised by Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) in Islamabad, International Watercolour Exhibition at SUIT Peshawar, and “Water Colourful 2” event at Ijaz Art Gallery.
On the international stage, Mr Zaman has been featured at International Watercolours Festival held at Cartoon Art Gallery in Dubai and the inaugural Sino-Pak Youth Artist Tour Exhibition in China.
His recent artwork on Swat Valley fetched him great fame as he captured the essence of the natural beauty with remarkable skill and sensitivity. Such consistent artistic output has brought him considerable recognition from cultural institutions nationwide.
Among his accolades are Sadequain Award for 2022-23 in Karachi, a medal at National Cultural Festival and Exhibition at Khewra Salt Mine in March 2021, and back-to-back first prizes in prestigious SS Haidr Awards in 2021 and 2022.
Looking ahead, Mr Zaman envisions establishing a specialised regional academy that would connect Pakistan’s traditional artistic heritage with cutting-edge international methods. He stresses the need for robust platforms offering formal guidance to emerging talents, encouraging experimentation with fluid mediums and empowering them to present authentic local stories on the world stage.
Through his exhibitions and honours, Mr Zaman stands as an inspiring figure in Pakistani art, demonstrating how talent from the regions can achieve global resonance while safeguarding a dynamic cultural essence for generations to come.
Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2026
