Open Call – Studio Residency, Karachi

The New Art Gallery Walsall (NAGW) and Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS) are inviting applications from artists based in Pakistan for a three month residency in Karachi (3 October 2022 – 8 January 2023).

The residency is part of a major exhibition project entitled Belonging/Disbelonging curated by Aziz Sohail and Head of Exhibitions at NAGW, Deborah Robinson. The exhibition explores histories of exclusion and erasure amongst artists largely from the South Asian diaspora, and ways in which these artists have challenged normative histories, discourses and narratives and built communities and spaces for themselves.  The exhibition brings together intergenerational practices which combine autobiography, activism and collectivity with a strong focus on queer artists and practices.

The residency will run concurrently with one at NAGW. For these residences, we are particularly keen to connect trans* and queer artists and practices. There will be an emphasis on dialogue and exchange digitally as well as programming, engagement and outreach in each local context.  A showcase of works by both artists is planned at IVS Gallery for February 2023.

The successful applicants will receive development support from Aziz Sohail, Deborah Robinson and Seher Naveed (Head of Fine Art, IVS) as well as a fee of 700,000PKR and additional support with local travel, materials, engagement and studio rental. A further budget of 450,000PKR is available for the realisation of new work to be shown alongside our major international exhibition in Walsall in Autumn 2023.

This amount is subject to change due to currency fluctuations.

The selected artist(s) will be expected to commit at least two days per week to this residency.

We welcome applications from individuals, pairs or collectives.

We are open to applications from all over Pakistan, but the artist is expected to be based in Karachi for the residency and will need to organise their own accommodation.

All queries can be addressed to the same email as above.

Deadline for applications: 4 July 2022, midnight UK time

The selection panel will comprise of Aziz Sohail, Deborah Robinson and Seher Naveed (Head of Fine Art, IVS)

The selected applicants will be informed by the end of July 2022.

The Belonging/Disbelonging residences are funded by the British Council International Collaborations Grants, which are designed to support UK and overseas organisations to collaborate on international art projects.

To apply, please send the following to nagwsubmissions@gmail.com with the title Belonging/Disbelonging – Karachi;

  • A cv (no more than one page of A4)
  • Up to 5 images of your work (or links to moving image works)
  • A summary of your practice (no more than 200 words)
  • An outline of how you would approach this residency and why it makes sense for your career at this time (no more than 200 words)
  • An idea of how you might connect to communities in your locality (no more than 200 words)

All queries can be addressed to the same email as above.

Deadline for applications: 1 July 2022, midnight UK time

The selection panel will comprise of Aziz Sohail, Deborah Robinson and Seher Naveed (Head of Fine Art, IVS)

The selected applicants will be informed by the end of July 2022.

The Belonging/Disbelonging residences are funded by the British Council International Collaborations Grants, which are designed to support UK and overseas organisations to collaborate on international art projects.



by Chris Wilkinson

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