All That Art

All that Art is about vibrant Pakistani art and its global presence. It recognizes the work of a number of artists across different generations - both in Pakistan and abroad. The book looks at art and architecture both as an insider and from a distance. It is an art critique yet narrates individual stories and trajectories of a select group of artists through a personal lens.

About the Author:

Suljuk Mustansar Tarar was exposed to the works and creative processes of many of Pakistan’s leading artists early in his life while visiting their studios and interacting with them because of their friendship with his distinguished father. This inspired him to join National College of Arts, Lahore to pursue Architecture where he gained and benefited from the mentorship of many of Pakistan’s premier artists and architects.

Interestingly, a number of his NCA compatriots of 1990’s emerged to lead the contemporary art scenario of Pakistan. Suljuk continued with that interest and circle even as he joined diplomatic service with the desire to live and experience art and architecture of different societies and to represent his country. His Foreign Service of Pakistan career and employment at the United Nations allowed him to live in New York for more than a decade where he remained an ardent visitor to New York museums gaining from the city’s rich art heritage and following the roots of abstract expressionism movement giving him a vantage point to analyze art related developments at home and abroad. These experiences led Suljuk to start writing about art which have been published in Pakistan in The Friday Times, The News, and The Daily Times. All that Art is his first book. Suljuk is now working on writing about the revival of contemporary miniature in Pakistan and the role of NCA’s Miniature Department.

Suljuk is a graduate of Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and gained varied experiences by working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office, at Pakistan’s diplomatic missions in Jeddah and New York, and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), New York, and in the Cabinet of the President of 71st Session of United Nations General Assembly.

Suljuk is Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to the Netherlands.