Meet Ali Raza
Ali Raza received his BFA from the National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan, in 1992 and his MFA from the University of Minnesota in 2001. Since 1994, he has taught at several colleges and universities in Pakistan and the US. Ali has exhibited his work in several venues, both nationally and internationally. Currently, Ali is a professor at the Department of Media Studies, Art & Design at the Lahore School of Economics.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the creative field?
Creativity inspires creativity; in my first grade year of school, I received a water coloring book as a prize. The images of watercolor paintings in the book were so impressive that I started painting and still painting. I think creativity is infectious (in a good sense) to those who have the potential for it.
Were there specific influences or mentors who played a crucial role in shaping your career? How has your South Asian background influenced your creative work?
If the mentors are passionate about the discipline they teach, they play an immensely crucial role in shaping the student's interest. I feel lucky to study under many such mentors. The culture in which you were born and raised plays an important role in shaping your thinking pattern, but if you can think beyond your cultural influence, I would call that an important step towards free thinking.
As a South Asian Creative; do you feel like societal concepts of success acted as barriers you had to overcome?
In my experience, a vast majority of the people here in Pakistan do not take art & creativity seriously. The general misconception is that to be creative, you have to be gifted. I believe that every child is creative. Creativity is not just about making pretty pictures or calligraphic paintings for our drawing rooms. In every field, we require critical thinking and creative strategies. I think critical thinking and creativity should be taught and practiced from preschool, just like we teach native languages, English, and math in school.
How have you seen the creative industry evolve over the years, especially in relation to South Asian representation? Are there emerging trends or changes that you believe aspiring artists should be aware of?
When I was in art school in the late 1980s, our access to the world of art was limited to the availability of books in the library. Now there is so much visibility of ideas and visuals via social media and the Internet. The best part of this internet revolution is that we can see, share images and ideas, and communicate with each other across borders so quickly and easily. South Asian artists and art-related institutes need to take full advantage of this cross-border communication and build strong ties and connections for peace and intellectual exchange. The definition of art has been evolving. My advice to aspiring artists is that they should try to redefine art and creativity through their practice.
Any advice for aspiring artists on how to connect with like-minded individuals and build a supportive community?
I have noticed that most of the artists are usually hesitant to talk face-to-face about each other's works. On social media, they may write a brief message of appreciation or share positive emojis, but that is not enough, and the format is also not suitable for discussion. I think artists should build their own community of like-minded people. They should invite selective artists and interested professionals from diverse fields of life to their studios and collectively discuss each other’s research. The ultimate purpose of art should not be the wall of a collector's drawing room or a museum. It should generate dialogue and new thoughts among people's perspectives.
Where do you see the future of the creative industry, particularly with regard to South Asian representation?
I hope and wish that artists, art institutions, and galleries within South Asia could play an important role in promoting art and bringing together art and artists beyond all kinds of restrictions and boundaries. I strongly believe that if art courses are offered to students in every field of study, more professionals will be creative, and society will progress. Progressive societies can build greater tolerance, and peaceful societies can bring peace to the region.
Is there something you wish you knew when you were starting your career? What advice would you give to individuals who are considering entering the creative industry?
At that time, I wish I had realized that the purpose of art is to question. Creativity is not specific to artists. It is relevant to all fields. Anyone interested in art & design must read, see other people's work, and learn about creative ways of thinking. Those who want to pursue an art & design career must follow the above suggestions, and they should build a portfolio of work so that they can apply to art & design school
Are there any projects or goals you're currently working on that you're excited about?
Every time I start my new body of work in the studio, I try to re-invent my practice. I never tried to be a signature-style artist, as I want to learn new ways of making art, so I am always excited about my new body of work.