Beyond the Page: The Miniature as Attitude in Contemporary Art from Pakistan

The past two decades have witnessed a vibrant revival of miniature painting, a genre developed at Islamic courts in South, Central and West Asia between the 14th and 19th centuries. In recent years, artists have reinvented the traditional practice, negotiating a fine balance between historical practices and conceptual concerns. Collectively, their innovations have resulted in the "new miniature" movement – the subject of this exhibition.

Beyond the Page exhibits the work of thirteen contemporary artists who engage the miniature as practice and concept. Roughly half of the artists in the exhibition trained in traditional miniature painting at the National College of Arts in Lahore, Pakistan, and assimilate new imagery and materials. The remaining artists, though not trained in miniature painting, explore the concept of the miniature in such diverse forms as photography, textile, sculpture and installation. As these artists emigrate, travel and exhibit internationally, the "new miniature" movement has become a global phenomenon that demonstrates the vitality of contemporary Pakistani art and, more specifically, how aspects of "tradition" are essential parts of contemporary culture.

The exhibition will be on view from February 18 until June 27, 2010, and features fifty works by thirteen artists. The exhibition is guest curated by Hammad Nasar with Anna Sloan and Bridget Bray and organized by Green Cardamom and Pacific Asia Museum.