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Mumtaz Hussain (filmmaker)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mumtaz Hussain is a Pakistani-American artist, filmmaker, and writer who was born in Jhang, Pakistan.[1]

History and education

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Upon graduation, he was commissioned to construct a seventy-foot mural in Lahore's town center. He was also commissioned to decorate the Sheikh Zaid bin Sultan Palace, an architectural landmark in Karachi, under his instructors' supervision.[2]

Career

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Mumtaz Hussain's artwork spans three distinct styles. His classic South Asian art is reimagined through a postmodern lens. Hussain incorporates the hieroglyphics of the Indus Valley civilization into his paintings, creating a bridge between ancient history and contemporary expression.[3]

Mumtaz published his first book of short stories in 2010, Gool Ainak ki Peyhe. In 2014 his second book of short stories and painting was published, Lafzon Main Tasvarain, In 2020 his third book of short stories and painting, Peli Pati Chuna Kum, was published. Mumtaz's fourth book, Mumtaz Hussain Dian Chuwian Kahinian, (GURMUKHI) was published in 2021, and Portrait in Words (English) in 2023.[4][5]

Portrait in Words has earned an Honorary Mention at the New England Book Festival.[6]

Film

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Hussain has participated in a number of films as director, writer, producer of both animations and short films. Titles to date include the feature length Art=(Love)2, for which he also produced the paintings used in the film (2011), and shorts Butterfly Screams (2007), Push Button For (2006), Yeh Mera Pakistan Hai (This is My Pakistan) for Pakistani TV Channel GEO (2005), Inside You (2004).

His film Soul of Civilization has been shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City as part of its 2003 exhibit The Art of the First Cities.[7]

His art and films have been shown at museums, universities, art galleries, and the 6th Karachi International Film Festival (KaraFilm).[8]

Plays

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Mumtaz Hussain's artistic journey began with high school theater. Transitioning to New York, he wrote and directed three plays: The Barking Crow, Legal Alien,[9] and Virus Bomb.[10][11][12]

Filmography

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  • 2012: Art=(Love)²
  • 2007: Butterfly Screams
  • 2006: Push Button For
  • 2005: Yeh Mera Pakistan Hai (This Is My Pakistan)
  • 2004: Inside You
  • 2003: Soul of Civilization[13]

Awards and honors

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  • 2013 The Kind Executioner was selected for the Final List in the Hollywood Screenplay Contest 2013[14]
  • 2014 Official selection of "Art=(Love)2" in Indian Film Festival in New York 2014[15]
  • 2023 Global leadership award by Lion Club and James Jay Luce Foundation.[16]
  • 2024 Artist-in-Residence Award By James Dudley Luce Foundation.[17]

References

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  1. ^ "The Kind Executioner: Of Bhutto's final moments". The Express Tribune. 9 October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  2. ^ Hussain, Mumtaz. "IAAC Exhibition of Contemporary Indian Art of the Diaspora 2011". Indo-American Arts Council. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  3. ^ "Erasing Borders 2011: Exhibition Of Contemporary Indian Art Of The Diaspora". Indo-American Arts Council. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  4. ^ Ahmad, Najia (2023-09-01). "Mumtaz Hussain's book Portrait in Words adds new texture to short story realism". Views and News. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  5. ^ Haider, Ali (2023-09-02). "Colors of narrative Mumtaz Hussain's journey into the human psyche". Dunya News Blog. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 2023-09-15. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  6. ^ "New England Book Festival: 2023 Festival Winners". newenglandbookfestivals.com. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  7. ^ "b1336722_001". cdm16028.contentdm.oclc.org.[failed verification]
  8. ^ "6th Karachi International Film Festival". Kara Film Festival. 2006. Push Button For. Archived from the original on 30 November 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ^ "Vigorous play about capitalism played by Pakistani artist in NY". The Nation (Pakistan). 13 November 2015.
  10. ^ Hussain, Mumtaz (2022-08-20). "Why I wrote the play 'Virus Bomb'". Views and News. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  11. ^ "A Pakistani artist's play depicting Covid victims' suffering staged in New York". Associated Press of Pakistan. 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  12. ^ "Pakistani-American writer Mumtaz Hussain's drama 'Virus Bomb' to be screened in New York this week". Daily Pakistan. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  13. ^ "Soul of Civilization". Indo-American Arts Council.
  14. ^ "2013 Official Finalists". Hollywood Screenplay Contest.com. The Kind Executioner. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013.
  15. ^ "New York Indian Film Festival 2014". Indo-American Arts Council. Art=(Love)2. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014.
  16. ^ "Pakistani American author honored with Global Leadership Award". Views and News. 2023-11-13. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  17. ^ "Renowned Pakistani Artist Mumtaz Hussain honored with prestigious Artist-in-Residence award". VOSA.tv - Voice of South Asia. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
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