This Artist’s Apartment is an Explosion of Eccentric Fun
Take a look inside artist Muhammad Zeeshan’s exuberant beach front home.
From the outside, the apartment looks like any of its neighbors, blending into its surroundings, demanding no attention – unlike the critically acclaimed artist that resides within it. Once the door opens however, Mirpurkhas-born artist Muhammad Zeeshan’s home, contrary to its basic exterior, is everything but that.
Mirpurkhas-born artist Muhammad Zeeshan’s home, contrary to its basic exterior, is everything but that
Instead of home sweet home, the art work right above his door quite boldly states “Qaatil hain hum sab” which translates to “we’re all murderers”. The satirical spirit of his own work is evident the minute you walk in. Covered from floor to ceiling, each wall is casually covered in art work, so much so that the electric box itself blends in as part of the at-home gallery. Lined with whimsical pieces including a Mohsin Shafi and what seems to be an old Mohammad Ali picture, the entry way itself is an experience.
“We had to take quite a few pieces down, since it was becoming extremely difficult for interviewers to set up for videos,” says Zeeshan
Sliding glass doors create a theatrical entrance to the living room, oozing to the brim with eye-catching details and centrepieces. “We had to take quite a few pieces down, since it was becoming extremely difficult for interviewers to set up for videos,” says Zeeshan, as we look for any traces of empty space on the walls. The room held a vivacious energy with a sense of irreverence, almost as if it were an embodiment of Zeeshan himself.
A note inscribed with Mashallah is tucked away on the very edge of the tray, demonstrating how God is in the details, quite literally
Two velvet arm chairs with brass details sit lined up next to a traditional wooden two-seater that displayed intricate details of Islamic geometry. Right across this beautiful piece sat a muted minimal grey couch. The amalgamation, or rather curation, of these furnishings seems unusual and yet manages to create a sense of balance.
Amidst the sea of paintings on the wall above, shining brightly as the light hits it, Adeela Suleman’s stainless steel work makes its place as the focal point
Amidst the sea of paintings on the wall above, shining brightly as the light hits it, Adeela Suleman’s stainless steel work makes its place as the focal point. A mirrored tray on the table below provides home to a taxidermized parrot made by Affan Baghpati. Although nearly undetectable, a note inscribed with Mashallah is tucked away on the very edge of the tray, demonstrating how God is in the details, quite literally.
Adeel Uz Zafar’s piece guides our gaze towards photographer Amean J’s cube resting on the floor with Muhammad Zeeshan’s portrait on each side
Other than the ceramic apples or the fiber glass lollipops casually scattered on tabletops, an accidental glance towards the air conditioner draws the eye towards Noman Siddiqui’s inflated heart shaped balloon. Adeel Uz Zafar’s piece guides our gaze towards photographer Amean J’s cube resting on the floor with Muhammad Zeeshan’s portrait on each side.
On the opposite end of the room stands a glass top dining table, with a backdrop of, you guessed it, more art. Amongst this very contemporary art collection however seems to be an array of antiques. A brass tarbookah sits atop a harmonium right next to the modern yellow chairs of the dining table, demonstrating how two contrasting aesthetics come together as a seamless whole.
“Even though I bought the piece myself there were so many instances where I would come home and get scared because I’d see these feet across the room,” Zeeshan on the lifelike Warda Batool sculpture
Tucked in the very left corner, what caught our attention and nearly terrified us in the process was a distinct Warda Batool piece. A sculpture of two pairs of legs coming together at the waist, forming a stool of sorts. “That sculpture used to be on the other side of the room,” explains Zeeshan. “You could see it through the glass doors every time you entered the house.”
Amongst this very contemporary art collection however seems to be an array of antiques
“Even though I bought the piece myself there were so many instances where I would come home and get scared because I’d see these feet across the room,” Zeeshan continues. “It’s so realistic that when the light hits it, it seems as though someone’s standing inside the room. Even my little daughters had a couple of scares and that’s why we decided to move it to the other end of the room.”
They say a home can tell you a lot about a person, what they choose to share, what they hide and all the grey in between
The space, eccentric in its own right, is also a visual representation of who he is as an artist. Quirky pieces of furniture, art and objects from all across the globe sit here in unison, reflective of Zeeshan’s personality, giving heart to this otherwise ordinary apartment. Every piece comes with a story of its own, from the sassy aunty poster, to a dancer’s ghungroo and his daughter’s toys next to it.
They say a home can tell you a lot about a person, what they choose to share, what they hide and all the grey in between. Muhammad Zeeshan’s home is an accurate depiction of all the roles he plays, a father, a husband, a son, a Karachi Biennale curator and a boy from Mirpurkhas that continues to keep the Pakistani art world on its toes today.
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