Rassam’s life takes a turn when he was three his family moved to Karachi. In Karachi he grew up in a literature loving atmosphere that further nourished the artist's soul with poetry and color. He was in school when he met Sadequain, the world renowned Pakistani calligrapher and painter. His mentors include great writers such as humorist Mushtaq Ahmed Yusufi, satirist Anwar Maqsood and Urdu poet Jaun Elia. It was Jaun Elia who gave Shahid the title of 'Rassam' an Arabic word that means 'the artist'.
Rassam’s paintings and sculptures reflect world realities thus inspire human being to make it a better place for ourselves and the generations to come. He has won awards for his work but decided some years ago to stop entering competitions because, as he says, “no one person can judge an artist's subconscious”.
On the occasion of Shahid Rassam’s painting
exhibition in Washington, DC, USA in 2011, Pakistani
diplomat Hussain Haqqani said;
Shahid has portrayed his entire work as if it is an
ongoing dialogue, with self and society which draws
its inspiration from the community, local and
global, as he equally belongs to both”, said Haqqani.
“The greatness of his work thus lies in its profound
appeal to many different groups.”
At the same occasion Rassam said;
“The most startling character among my paintings is
the one known as the worshipper. He has apparently
immersed himself in the act of praying to God, but
when I see him up close I get disturbed”, said
Rassam. “This is a tale of Sinners and Worshippers
who seemingly prostrate before God but their Imam is
the currency note, and they do not discriminate
between dollar, euro or Yuan.”
Gulzar and Rassam
Shahid Rassam is currently working on a major series
of paintings based on the works of the great Urdu
poets Ghalib and Gulzar.
Shahid Rassam has visited to more than 35 countries around the world and exhibited in. He is working in and has studio in Pakistan, Canada, USA and in UAE as well. Shahid Rassam's website address www.shahidrassam.com
Pakistan Painting Competition will be held at Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi on 23 March, 2015. The competition will be hosted nder The Red Sapphire & its wing Activity Club. There are 6 competition categoreis from toddlers to Juniors to Dctators. Registration fee is Rs. 1000 per participant. This is an open competition and any one can participate. The theme is PAKISTAN. Participants will bring their own canvas and paints. The competition will run from 09:00 am to 07:00 pm. Contact: 0336-2384724.
The International Exhibition of Calligraphy' 2015
12th March – 12th April, 2015, the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy, Moscow
'Cross Roads' Eminenet photographer Arif Mahmood's latest photographic works 06 January, 2015, 5:00 pm Canvas Gallery, Karachi
The Art of Our Time: Masterpieces from the Guggenheim Collections
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
September 23, 2014–May 3, 2015
7th Edition of India Art Fair
NSIC Exhibition Grounds, New Delhi 110020
29th January, 1st February, 2015
Major Miniaturists: modern miniature paintings
Unicorn Gallery, D116/1A, Block 4, Clifton, Karachi
20th - 30th November, 2014