(by Roger Connah, Oxford University Press, Hardcover, 2011)

Product Information

• Title: The Rest is Silence – Zahoor ul Akhlaq: Art and Society in Pakistan
• Author: Roger Connah
• Format: Hardcover
• ISBN-13: 9780195474725
• ISBN-10: 0195474724
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Place of Publication: New Delhi
• Publication Date: 2011
• Page Count: 350 pages
• Printed In: Pakistan

Overview

English:
The Rest is Silence – Zahoor ul Akhlaq: Art and Society in Pakistan is an incisive cultural study and biography that explores the elusive life and artistic legacy of Pakistani artist Zahoor ul Akhlaq. Taking its cue from the tragic murder of Akhlaq in January 1999, Roger Connah charts a multifaceted portrait of a "painter's painter" who lived a life both in plain sight and, paradoxically, as a secretive figure. Akhlaq’s work and persona evoke the mystique of Sufi scholars and embody a restless, modernist spirit, as he navigated and reinterpreted traditional Islamic aesthetics and contemporary cultural influences. Through extensive research, Connah uncovers a series of compelling versions of these truths, presenting Akhlaq as an artist continually in motion—wandering through and drawing inspiration from cities such as Karachi, Delhi, Lahore, Toronto, London, Montreal, Bangkok, Kabul, Tehran, Tokyo, and Venice. This book not only reassesses the artist’s impact on Pakistan’s art scene but also reflects on the broader implications of modernity, cultural identity, and the transforming narrative of society.

Product Features

Intellectual & Cultural Insights

• Multifaceted Biography:
  • Delve into the complex and enigmatic life of Zahoor ul Akhlaq, whose public persona turned into a captivating mystery—a critical fiction that continues to fascinate art historians.
• Cultural Critique:
  • The study examines how Akhlaq’s journey encapsulates the tension between tradition and modernity in contemporary Pakistan, with insights drawn from his engagement with calligraphy, folk culture, and modern artistic practice.
• Global Context:
  • The book contextualizes Akhlaq's artistic evolution against the backdrop of international cities and cultural currents, illustrating how he negotiated influences from both Islamic heritage and modern global trends.

Scholarly & Aesthetic Value

• Research-Driven Narrative:
  • Based on exhaustive research, the book presents multiple versions of the truth behind Akhlaq’s life, revealing the layers of myth, reality, and performance that surround his oeuvre.
• Interdisciplinary Approach:
  • Combining art criticism, cultural history, and biographical narrative, Roger Connah’s work is essential reading for students, researchers, and enthusiasts of art and society in South Asia.
• Elegant Design & Production:
  • The hardcover edition, produced by Oxford University Press, exemplifies academic quality with a refined design that is both visually appealing and durable.

Interesting Facts

1. Pioneering Research:
   • Roger Connah, a writer and researcher with international academic experience—having taught in Finland, Sweden, India, and the US—brings a global perspective to his study of Zahoor ul Akhlaq.
2. Cultural Enigma:
   • Known as the “painter’s painter” in Pakistan, Akhlaq's work is steeped in the mystique of Sufi traditions; his art reflects a dynamic interplay between the public and the secret, the traditional and the modern.
3. International Influence:
   • Akhlaq’s career spanned numerous major cultural centers worldwide, making his artistic journey a mirror of the broader encounters between Eastern and Western artistic sensibilities.

Publishers

The Rest is Silence – Zahoor ul Akhlaq: Art and Society in Pakistan is published by Oxford University Press, a renowned academic publisher noted for its commitment to scholarly excellence. Printed in Pakistan and released from New Delhi in 2011, this edition is an essential contribution to understanding the transformative cultural narratives in modern Pakistan. The book is a must-read for those interested in the intersections between art, society, and cultural identity in a rapidly evolving world.

We value your feedback! Share your experience with this product to help others make informed decisions. Your review is important to us!

Hashtags

English:

#TheRestIsSilence #ZahoorulAkhlaq #ArtAndSociety #PakistaniArt #RogerConnah #OxfordUniversityPress #ModernityInArt #SufiInfluence #ContemporaryCulture #CulturalCritique

German:

#TheRestIsSilence #ZahoorulAkhlaq #KunstUndGesellschaft #PakistanischeKunst #RogerConnah #OxfordUniversityPress #ModerneKunst #SufiEinflüsse #ZeitgenössischeKultur #Kulturkritik