Anwar Hussain: Abstract Expressions

Just two years in Dubai and already, Anwar Hussain, a young Pakistani painter, is making waves in art circles. His portraits of shaikhs adorn Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at the Dubai airport and some of his creations are also exhibited at the Dubai Mall and Burj Al Arab.

"My father Hussain Khan was a well-known painter, so painting is in my blood," said Anwar.

At age 11, Hussain did a professional portrait of an American woman. "Her name was Catherine and her husband, David Thomson, was an official at the US Embassy where my father worked," he said. Catherine bought the portrait for PRs 7,000 (Dh322). Today, his paintings sell for prices ranging from Dh20,000 to Dh120,000, making them affordable for less affluent collectors.

The artist, however, rejects the notion that he is the ‘poor man’s MF Husain’, the Indian Picasso, whose work commands millions of dollars.

Early start

Over the years, Hussain has made around 10,000 portraits.

Initially, he assisted his father prepare the base for paintings. Later, he was allowed to put the finishing touches. "I decided not to join the National College of Art in Lahore as the teachers there were my father’s disciples." Though his father was a big inspiration, Anwar was an independent thinker and settled on painting what he conceived as "semi-realistic abstracts".

Different strokes

"I use deep tones in figures and light colours to draw them out, often utilising white as the symbol of light and freedom."

Interestingly, much like MF Husain, he is also fascinated by horses. "Horses are an obsession for me as they are the oldest carriers of humans and also symbols of power, speed and luck.

"I often keep a distance from the canvas as I sketch, careful that too much of me should not get into the painting.

"Dubai does not like realism, so I prefer the abstract," he said on the nature of his paintings that he is working on at his tiny studio in Bur Dubai. His home in Al Qusais is also his workshop.