Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s envoy to the United Arab Emirates, attended the opening of Pakistani artist Shahzad Hassan Ghazi’s exhibition ‘Grace Versus Strength’ at the Leila Heller Gallery in Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz 1, Dubai – a show the ambassador described as taking place in the largest art gallery in the Gulf region.
Tirmizi hailed the display as an important moment for Pakistani cultural representation, saying he was ‘immensely delighted that the work of a Pakistani artist is being showcased in the largest art gallery of the Gulf region.’ He emphasized the role of creative expression in defining national identity, listing art, culture, music and cuisine as key pillars.
The envoy linked Ghazi’s work to Pakistan’s storied visual arts tradition, invoking figures such as Sadequain, Ustad Allah Bux, Abdur Rahman Chughtai, Zubeida Agha and Shakir Ali. He praised Ghazi’s blending of Mughal motifs with contemporary techniques and noted that the artist’s canvases were displayed alongside works by prominent creators from Iran, the United States and other countries.
Shahzad Hassan Ghazi described the ambassador’s presence as an honor and said he would continue drawing inspiration from the nation’s legendary painters. ‘I am deeply honored by the Ambassador’s presence. I will continue to draw inspiration from legendary Pakistani artists and strive to project a soft and positive image of our country through art,’ he told attendees.
The opening attracted a diverse audience of collectors, diplomats and cultural patrons, including Emirati residents, expatriates and members of the Pakistani community in the UAE. Observers noted particular interest in Ghazi’s fusion approach, which juxtaposes historical Mughal aesthetics with modern sensibilities.
Held at the Leila Heller Gallery – a prominent venue within Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue – the display is positioned as a moment of cultural outreach, connecting Pakistani creative heritage with an international art scene. Diplomats and art lovers were among those present for the launch, underscoring growing regional attention to South Asian contemporary art.