Through this book Marjorie Husain bring forth Colin David's life and works giving an opportunity to the art lovers and art students to understand art in 1960s and know about the artistic vision of Colin David through the years, celebrating his five decades of art.
This book captures the spirit and dynamism of Colin's work and personality. The early life was not easy for Colin's family as after the death of his journalist father his mother and siblings face hardships to survive the World War II. Born in 1937 in Karachi, Colin loves drawing when he was just a kid he enjoys drawing human faces. He enrolled at the Mayo School of Art for evening classes under the guidance of Professor Shakir Ali.
Then in 1955 when Professor Anna Molka Ahmed opened classes for young men at the Department of Fine Arts at the Punjab University headed by Khalid Iqbal Colin took admission there. Colin was one of just three students in the first batch of the men's section along with Aslam Minhas and Sufi Waqar Ahmed.
Colin enthralled by Khalid Iqbal's stories of the Slade School of Art join the school in 1961 on the British Council Scholarship. The book includes Colin's letters which he wrote to Mrs Anna Molka Ahmed during his study period at the Slade School of Art.
After returning home he resumed teaching at the Punjab University Fine Arts department and later on joined the National College of Art.
The female became his subject of choice and his series of figurative works won him acclaim. His canvasses are well known for their innovative compositional design and handling of form and space.
Colin David held his first solo exhibition in Karachi in 1971, while Shakir Ali and Saeed Akhtar supported him. It was his first step on the ladder of fame and he becomes a well known artist of his time. In 1995 he was awarded the much-coveted President's Pride of Performance award.
The book reveals how unfortunate events of the eighties shook Colin when his exhibition was attacked and vandalised but he overcame this trauma and once again appeared in the public arena with his successive shows.
Remembered by his family and friends as a humane, gentle soul Colin passed away on February 25, 2008.
The book affirms David as one of the most accomplished artists of his generation. It contains illustrations of his work span all aspects of the artist's oeuvre.
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Book : 'The Art of Colin David'
Author : Marjorie Husain
Publisher : Topical Printers, Lahore
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