The Department of Fine Arts at Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts & Design (MD-SVAD) is a unique program in the region. It offers students the possibility of cutting across disciplines, researching, archiving, questioning and reinventing existing methods of Art-making. This department equips students with the freedom to forge their personal paths.
The Textile, Fashion and Accessories programme at BNU MDSVAD, has evolved with a dynamic vision this year to meet the ever-changing ecology of design. Global and regional expectations in the context of design morphology have led to the restructuring of the TFA curriculum with renewed passion. The TFA structure will allow students to decipher their own customized learning path choosing electives of their choice which will act as a scaffolding to support their design investigations.
Visual Communication Design at SVAD focuses on the role of a designer as a thinker-designer with a deep understanding of the core principles of design, the integration of technology and the accumulative application in the form of images, interactions and objects. The Department of Visual Communication Design endeavours to generate a mindset that allows students to combine a critical understanding of context with acquired conceptual and technical skills, allowing them to enact design interventions in environments real, virtual or imagined.
Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts and Design (SVAD) at Beaconhouse National University has taken the lead in implementing an innovative interdisciplinary approach to art, design, their expanded fields and their pedagogy. Graduate and Interdisciplinary Studies at SVAD offers three-degree programmes: BA (Hons), Interdisciplinary Expanded Design & Art (IEDA), Master of Art & Design Studies (MA ADS) and a low-residency Master of Art Education (MA AE). The degrees aim to foster curiosity, adaptability and a rigorous sense of inquiry.
A recipient of the Pride of Performance Award in 1999, Prof. Salima Hashmi is an internationally renowned Pakistani artist, writer, art historian, art curator and educationist. She taught at National College of Arts for 31 years before working as its principal for four years. She is one of the key persons who founded Beaconhouse National University and School of Visual Arts and Design. She is a reputed painter whose works have been exhibited in Pakistan and in international exhibitions. She has written extensively on the arts, and has curated exhibitions of contemporary art and traditional textile.
Kiran Khan is a professor and head of the Textile, Fashion, and Accessories Department at MDSVAD. She initially earned a Bachelor of Design from the National College of Arts in Lahore, specializing in textiles. Her thesis, titled 'The World Beyond the Senses,' was awarded a distinction. Additionally, she received the prestigious Percy Brown Award for Art History and two gold medals for her performances as part of the NCA puppet team, known as The Puppeteers NCA. She then joined the Pakistan School of Fashion Design (PSFD), now PIFD, where she taught for eight years and developed the textile curriculum. During her tenure at PIFD, she pursued further studies in textile design, accessories, and fashion drawing from La Chambre Syndicale De la Couture, France. She was also selected by JETRO, the Japanese External Trade Organization, for further training at Bunka College of Fashion, Tokyo.She joined BNU in 2004 and established the textile design department, where she has been for 16 years since its inception. She has received training in the conservation of textiles and completed her Master’s Degree in Linguistics from BNU in 2014, which she believes is an essential link between language and arts. She feels that 'all textiles convey a different story, and it is through language that we understand this story.' The Department of Textiles is actively engaged in craft revival and was awarded the esteemed international Mac Jannet Prize by the Tallories Network for a community craft Project called the 'Humnawa Project,' in collaboration with Sungi and Bunyaad under the Punjab Skills Development Programme, to empower women in Southern Punjab. She developed a curriculum on 'Innovative Design' for empowering rural women, a joint venture with Kaarvan Craft Foundation. This project with Kaarvan Craft Foundation follows the same structural model as 'Humnawa,' whereby 1600 women will be trained in clusters. The curriculum designed will serve as a template to provide exposure and encourage innovative thinking for all underserved craft practitioners in South East Asia.She was Artist in Residence at Art Address, Oakville, Ontario, Canada, in July 2018. She also designs for the textile sector and has developed designs for Mausummery Lawn, Sitara Textiles, and Five Star Lawn. She runs her personal Embellishment Design Studio, engaging local embroidery craftsmen and developing custom-made hand-embroidered textiles.
Aarish Sardar is a design educator and interdisciplinary creative practitioner. He holds a BFA in Fine Arts (2000) and an MA in Multimedia Arts (2003) from the National College of Arts, Lahore. Aarish pursued his MA in Communication Design from Kingston University London (2006) after gaining several years of experience as an Associate Producer at GEO TV Lahore. Currently, he teaches at the Dept. of Visual Communication Design in the Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts & Design at Beaconhouse National University (BNU), Lahore. Aarish has completed limited modules of the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ – Level 3) UK, namely Children Safeguarding, and National Open College Networks (NOCN) UK in Communication & Conflict Management.Aarish has worked as a communication designer and multimedia consultant internationally, serving clients from the USA, UK, Pakistan, and beyond, including Sophia Learning, Autograph ABP, Hulton Archives (Getty Images), DFID UK, Linge Roset, Eugene Dodd Typographics (EDT), Woolpack Inn, Hamptons of London, Aconflag Group Europe, and Salt’n’Pepper Restaurants (PAK/UK), among others. One of his notable projects is the design and art direction of the monograph “& She Wandered,” focusing on the acclaimed academic and visual artist Farida Batool’s art practices, published in March 2020.Aarish has exhibited his interdisciplinary works in various group shows at Kunj Art Gallery (Karachi), Rohtas Gallery (Islamabad), Corydon Clock Tower Gallery (London), Bermondsey Gallery (London), the School of Tomorrow exhibition held at the Royal Palm Club (Lahore), and at Alhmara Art Gallery (Lahore) as part of the group show
Risham Syed is a visual artist who currently heads the Visual Arts Department at the Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts & Design, Beaconhouse National University, Lahore, Pakistan. Risham has a diverse art practice in which painting and other mediums are employed to explore questions of history and politics. Her native city plays a pivotal role in her work, as do related inquiries into what the colonial history of the region means to today’s global south. She explores these questions using her paintings as pieces of a greater, often global context through installation and engages objects, borders, margins, frames with social reference and connotation. Her use of fabric, embroidery, found objects, along with her paintings, speaks about her connection with the personal, as well as the historical, weaving in history with the present moment. Risham has shown extensively in major national and international exhibitions, including the Manchester Art Gallery, ABRAAJ Capital Art Prize, Dubai, Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester, Asia Pacific Triennial Brisbane, Hangzhou Triennial of Fiber Art, China, Mohatta Palace Museum, Karachi, National Gallery of Art, Islamabad, National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, Harris Museum, Preston, Barbican Centre, London, and the Fukuoka Triennial, Japan. Ms. Risham is the recipient of the prestigious ABRAAJ Capital Art Prize (2012). Her works are part of important public and private collections. Her recent projects include a solo show at Manchester Art Gallery in Manchester, where her work conversed with the permanent collection of 18th and 19th-century paintings. Risham is a graduate of the National College of Arts, Lahore, and holds an MA from the Royal College of Art, London.
Quddus Mirza, an artist, art critic, and independent curator, served as the Head of the Fine Art Department at the National College of Arts, Lahore, before joining BNU. He holds a BFA from NCA and an MA in Painting from the Royal College of Art, London. Mirza's work has been showcased extensively in significant group exhibitions and solo shows in Pakistan and the UK. He has curated exhibitions such as
Mahbub Shah stands out as a visual artist and educator, whose contributions to the field through his exploration of visual representation and the real-vs-imaginary debate enrich the academic and artistic communities. His involvement in national and international exhibitions highlights his impactful presence in the art world. At BNU, he continues to inspire and educate, fostering a deep understanding of the visual arts among students.
Sana Aziz is a Jewelry Designer and an Educator. She has a Bachelor (hons) in Jewellery and Metal design from the University of Dundee, Scotland and a Masters in Art Education from Beaconhouse National University, for which she was awarded a Gold-medal and given the prestigious honor of representing her class as valedictorian. In addition to her entrepreneurial practice she has been enjoying her pedagogical practice at BNU since 2012. Over this past decade she has had the pleasure of teaching over 17 courses, including supervising the jewelry student’s graduating thesis several times.
Rohma Khan, a multi-disciplinary artist, educator, and researcher, has made significant strides in bridging traditional craft with contemporary design. Her leadership in collaborative projects and initiatives aimed at craft revival and sustainable fashion underscores her commitment to social and environmental causes. Through her work, she has contributed to a broader understanding of textiles' role in cultural and contemporary contexts, making substantial impacts both locally and internationally. Her involvement in various high-profile projects and forums showcases her ability to innovate and inspire in the realms of art and design education.
Ayaz Jokhio's artistic journey is marked by an extensive exploration of painting as a medium, alongside various other techniques. With numerous solo exhibitions and participations in art residencies and projects worldwide, his dedication to art is profound. His role as an educator at BNU enriches the institution's artistic environment, providing students with a deep, practical insight into the art world.
Ammar Shahid, a dynamic couturier, challenges design complexities and teaches diverse fashion-related courses at BNU, drawing from extensive industry experience.
Ahsan Nazir brings a unique fusion of prints and luxury fashion design, with a global customer base and a rich educational background.
Durre Shehwar Ali's design work spans industrial design to UX design, focusing on the social impact of design and product performance.
Aatiqa Sheikh is a dynamic figure in the field of art education, with a rich background in both teaching and research. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the Master of Art Education (MA AE) program at MDSAVAD, she brings a wealth of experience to her role. Having begun her journey as a Senior Lecturer at MDSVAD, Aatiqa's passion for art education has taken her through various esteemed institutions, including the Beaconhouse School System, Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design, and Beaconhouse National University. Her diverse teaching experiences have equipped her with a profound understanding of pedagogy and a commitment to innovative teaching methodologies. Aatiqa holds a Master's degree in English Literature from Punjab University, a testament to her interdisciplinary approach to education. Her academic pursuits led her to achieve a Master of Art Education with distinction in research from SVAD (Beaconhouse National University), highlighting her dedication to advancing knowledge in the field. Beyond the classroom, Aatiqa is deeply engaged in research and advocacy efforts. As the co-founder of Covert Overt, an inclusivity research collective, she actively contributes to initiatives aimed at fostering diversity and inclusion within educational spaces. Additionally, her involvement in a collaborative art education project with BNU-TEF underscores her commitment to enhancing teaching and learning practices in public schools, particularly in Southern Punjab. Aatiqa's scholarly contributions extend to the broader academic community, as evidenced by her participation in conferences such as the 13th Humanities & Social Science Conference at LUMS. Her research interests span a wide range of topics, including interfaith harmony and religious tolerance, as demonstrated by her role as a Site Lead for a project aimed at promoting these values in collaboration with GOP, World Bank, and UNESCO. In summary, Aatiqa Sheikh is not only a dedicated educator but also a passionate advocate for inclusive and transformative education. Through her teaching, research, and advocacy efforts, she continues to make significant contributions to the field of art education, enriching the lives of students and communities alike.
Ghulam Muhammad is an awarded artist and educator whose work has been recognized internationally, including the Jameel Art Prize from the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.
Hifsa Farooq combines her roles as faculty and academic advisor with an active art practice, participating in significant residencies and exhibitions.
Eisha Liaqat is the Co-Founder of Articulate Studios, a creative space established to cultivate a sense of community among artists. The studio serves as a platform for artists to exchange ideas, find inspiration, and showcase their work. As part of her involvement, she curated and successfully implemented Art Saraye, an artist residency and outreach program. This initiative aimed to foster artistic and creative encounters, as well as promote rejuvenation and social change through engagement with the local community. She recently co-curated an exhibition titled “Retrospective, Fiber and Textile Expressions.”
MDSVAD Alumni
Discover the stories of our alumni: artists, curators, educators and cultural leaders whose work now reaches biennales, festivals and universities around the world.
Alumni Spotlight
From BNU’s very first textile studios to an international podium: Dr. Faseeh Saleem, a graduate of the founding batch of the Department of Textile, Fashion and Accessories Design (TFA), recently chaired a session at the Universities Art Association of Canada (UAAC) 2026 Conference, held at Concordia University in Montréal.
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BNU Hosts L’École de design Nantes Atlantique
The Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts and Design (MDSVAD), in collaboration with BNU’s Office of Academic Partnerships, hosted Ms. Céline Leroux from L’École de design Nantes Atlantique, France. Organised alongside Campus France Lahore and the Embassy of France, the campus visit featured an interactive tour and creative exchange.
Alumnus to Receive Presidential Civil Award for Visual Arts
A graduate of MDSVAD’s MA Art & Design Studies program, Aleem Dad Khan, has been conferred the Presidential Civil Award for Visual Arts 2026 by the President of Pakistan. He is the first artist from Gilgit-Baltistan, and the second MDSVAD graduate, in the last two years, to receive a prestigious civil award.
Echoes of Expression: MDSVAD’s Monumental Degree Show 2026
The Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts and Design (MDSVAD) triumphantly concluded its historic Degree Show 2026, anchoring a magnificent week-long celebration of avant-garde student talent from June 29 to July 5. As the institution's largest exhibition to date, it proudly unveiled 142 groundbreaking undergraduate thesis projects.
Rashid Rana’s Fractured Moment Achieves Global Recognition at Art Basel Doha
Prof. Rashid Rana’s Fractured Moment (2025), unveiled at the inaugural edition of Art Basel 2026 Doha, has distinguished itself as one of the most critically acclaimed and internationally resonant works of the fair. Garnering widespread attention across premier global art and cultural platforms, the work has sparked significant critical discourse and positioned itself at the forefront of contemporary conversations on image, conflict, and representation.
| March 17, 2026
Simone Wille is an art historian and Senior Scientist at the Institute of Art History, University of Innsbruck. Her research examines transregional artistic mobility, with a focus on South Asia and its global entanglements. She directed the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) projects “South Asia in Central Europe: The Mobility of Artists and Art Works between 1947 and 1989” (2021–2025) and “Patterns of Trans-Regional Trails” (2016–2021), producing pioneering scholarship on materiality, circulation, and modernism from Bombay, Paris, Prague, and Lahore. Wille has co-organized major international conferences in Vienna, Prague, and Istanbul, and has conducted extended field research across Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Iran, Italy, France, the UK, and the Czech Republic.
Rajeeb Samdani is Co-Founder and Trustee of the Samdani Art Foundation, through which he and his wife Nadia Samdani MBE established the Dhaka Art Summit and Srihatta—Samdani Art Centre and Sculpture Park. An influential collector of modern and contemporary art, he serves as Co-Chair of Tate’s South Asian Acquisitions Committee, sits on Tate’s International Council and Advisory Board, and is a founding member of the Harvard Mittal South Asia Institute’s Arts Advisory Council. He also contributes to Alserkal Avenue’s Programming Committee, the Delfina Foundation Global Council, Art SG, and the Art Basel Global Patrons Council. In 2017, he and Nadia became the first South Asian arts patrons to receive the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award. Samdani has spoken at global art institutions including Harvard University, UC Berkeley, and the Royal Ontario Museum.
Dr. Neeti Sethi is a transdisciplinary educator, researcher, and social design practitioner with over 25 years of international experience across higher education, the creative industries, and community development in Australia, India, and Africa. Her work spans academic leadership, research governance, and the design of culturally responsive programs at the intersection of policy, pedagogy, and social impact. Dr. Sethi has played a founding role in establishing interdisciplinary academic schools, shaping curriculum reform, and advising on transnational education initiatives. Grounded in ethical engagement and intercultural dialogue, her practice addresses inclusion, migration, cultural knowledge systems, and community-engaged learning. Based in Australia, she contributes to advisory and practice-led initiatives across sectors while also working with remote communities as a transcultural, art-based wellbeing and socio-economic empowerment practitioner.
Waseem Syed (b.1955) is a visual artist, curator, educator, researcher, and cultural producer whose practice critically explores identity, migration, displacement, and collective memory. Trained at the National College of Arts (Lahore) and currently based in Guatemala, he combines fine art photography and mixed media to articulate transnational narratives. Since 2018, he has served as Founding Director and Chief Curator of Espacio Ósmosis, and in 2024 he assumed the role of Chief Curator at Fundación Paiz para la Educación y la Cultura. There, he restructured and led the Bienal de Arte Paiz—one of the oldest biennials in the Americas—as well as the emerging Bienal de Arte Digital Guatemala (BAD), promoting technological experimentation from the Global South. His work has been exhibited in over fifteen countries and is included in significant public and private collections worldwide. Syed’s curatorial vision fosters connections between Central America, Asia, and Africa, grounded in shared genealogies and ancestral knowledge.
Dr. Zehra Jumabhoy is a UK-based art historian, curator, and writer specializing in modern and contemporary South Asian art and its diasporas. She is a Lecturer in the History of Art at the University of Bristol and previously taught at the Courtauld Institute of Art, where she completed her PhD as the Steven and Elena Heinz Scholar. She has taught at institutions in the UK, India, Pakistan, and Singapore, including MA programmes at Sotheby’s Institute of Art (London) and Lasalle College of the Arts (Singapore). Jumabhoy is the inaugural Berger Trust Future Leaders Fellow in the History of British Art (2025–2026), a joint initiative of Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge, and The Huntington (California), which includes residencies at both institutions.
