Remembering Mashkoor Raza

The world of art has lost one of its brightest stars with the passing of Mashkoor Raza, an eminent Pakistani painter whose career spanned more than five decades. His death marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire and influence generations to come.

Born in 1948 in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, Raza moved to Pakistan and carved an illustrious career in the world of art. He graduated with a Gold Medal from the Karachi School of Arts in 1972, where he honed his skills under the guidance of Rabia Zuberi, Hajra Zuberi, and Mansoor Rahi. Following a brief teaching tenure at his alma mater, he took a significant step in fostering artistic talent by establishing the Mashkoor School of Art in 1990 — an institution that would nurture countless young artists in the years that followed.

Horse Rider (2005), Oil on Canvas — one of Raza's celebrated equine studies, capturing the raw energy and movement of galloping stallions.

Raza's influence in the art world extended far beyond Pakistan, with his works exhibited in the USA, UK, Germany, Malaysia, India, Bangladesh, Canada, Bahrain, and Iran. Notably, his paintings were included in the prestigious Victoria and Albert Museum in London — a testament to the international recognition his distinctive vision commanded.

Family Gathering (2005), Oil on Canvas — a figurative composition characteristic of Raza's mature period, blending rich colour with expressive, rough-textured brushwork.

Raza's contributions to the arts earned him widespread recognition, including the esteemed President's Pride of Performance Award. His mastery over design, colour, form, and space solidified his position as a dynamic and prolific artist. His artwork spanned various styles, showcasing a versatile range — he was particularly known for his cubist-structured abstract paintings, often dominated by shades of white, as well as his calligraphic compositions that explored line and texture.

Seated Nude Green (2009), Oil on Board — a study from Raza's celebrated nude series, demonstrating his rare distinction for rough layers and textured surfaces.

Yet it was perhaps his iconic horse paintings that captured the public imagination most vividly. By 1991, Raza was freely turning out paintings of horses in all conceivable positions — running, rearing, prancing — each one pulsing with the raw energy and movement of galloping stallions. His figurative works, with fragmented forms and symbolic contrasts, further highlighted his artistic depth. He was commonly known as the Master of Distorted Art in Pakistani art circles, a title earned through the rough layers and surfaces eminent in his works.

Seated Nude (2009), Oil on Board — Raza's exploration of the human form through his signature impressionist lens.

Fira Art Gallery is honoured to hold several of Mashkoor Raza's works in our collection. Each painting stands as a testament to a life devoted to art — to the relentless pursuit of form, colour, and the energy that animates both the canvas and the world it reflects. His style found maturity over a long period of time, and his art enjoys a rare distinction in the world of art for those rough layers and surfaces that became his unmistakable signature.

Nude Back (2009), Oil on Board — a further example from Raza's intimate board studies, signed and dated lower right.

We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, his students, and the vast community of artists and admirers whose lives he touched. Mashkoor Raza's legacy is not merely a body of work — it is a way of seeing, a testament to the transformative power of dedication, and a gift to the cultural heritage of Pakistan and the world. He will be profoundly missed.