We're back! And searching for even more Art.

Ambiance Boutique Art Hotel opened its first location in in October 2020 to much fanfare. The hotel offers its art-savvy guests a wholly unique experience, affording them the opportunity to engage with some of the finest examples of ’s thriving contemporary art scene. Envisioned by Kasim Kasuri, Ambiance Boutique Art Hotel aims to showcase exceptional art pieces from contemporary, early-career artists in an effort to nurture local talent and promote Pakistan’s already vibrant art scene.

In December 2021, Ambiance Boutique Art Hotel will open a new location in the bustling metropolis of . For this, we once again call upon young art practitioners across the country to submit original artworks for consideration and become part of the hotel’s growing and well-curated permanent art collection.

The Ambiance Curatorial Committee, including respected curatorial advisors, will offer predetermined amounts for each selected piece (details may be found below).

Submit your work today and be at the forefront of the art movement that is Ambiance.

Ambiance Curators’ Committee

Prof Salima Hashmi (Convener) Salima Hashmi, artist, curator, and contemporary art historian has had a formidable career within the artscape of Pakistan, having taught at Lahore's National College of Arts for 31 years before being appointed its Principal and Dean. Subsequently, she served as Founding Dean of Beaconhouse National University's Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts & Design. She is also a recipient of the President’s Pride of Performance for Arts award and co-founder of Rohtas 2, a leading contemporary art gallery in Lahore.

Prof Shehnaz Ismail (Member) Shehnaz Ismail is one of the founding members of the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture in Karachi and has served as its Dean for the Faculty of Design. She has long been committed to the revival of indigenous crafts across Pakistan including the promotion of traditional textiles and natural dyes in Gilgit-Baltistan. She was awarded the President's Pride of Performance Award for her services in Visual Art Education on August 14, 2014.

Ms Adeela Suleman (Member) Adeela Suleman is a founding member and Director of Karachi’s Vasl Artists’ Association and a prominent practising artist and sculptor who is known for the social and political commentary underlying her work. As an educationist, she has served as Associate Professor and Head of the Fine Arts Department at the Indus Valley School of Art & Architecture, Karachi from 2008 to 2019.

Mr Kasim Kasuri (Co-Convener) Kasim Kasuri is chief design curator of Ambiance Boutique Art Hotels as well as CEO of the Beaconhouse School System and a founding member of the Board of Governors of Beaconhouse National University. With a deep and abiding love for Pakistani contemporary art, his own personal collection (and that at Ambiance) is a reflection of his continued patronage of a number of early-career artists since the mid-90s.

Curatorial Support

Haseeb Ullah Zafar Sushma Aamir (Curatorial Assistant, Ambiance Boutique Art Hotels) (Logistics & Procurement Coordinator for Former Curatorial Assistant & Production Manager, Art, Ambiance Boutique Art Hotels) Lahore Biennale Foundation

Eligibility and Selection Process

Eligibility:

1) You are a final year student completing your BFA or equivalent degree from National College of Arts, Beaconhouse National University, Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, Punjab University College of Arts and Design, , or any other recognised Visual Arts programme in Pakistan or overseas. OR 2) In the last 3-5 years, you have completed your BFA (or attained a higher degree in a relevant field) from a recognised Visual Arts programme.

Medium & Size:

1) The work submitted must be wholly original and should not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any other party. 2) To the best of the artist's knowledge, the work should be unique (contemporary art styles are preferred). 3) The work submitted may be executed in any medium (exceptions in Clause 4 & 5) that lends itself to be easily displayed. 4) Prints that are produced through physical processes such as linocut, woodcut, line etching, aquatint, photo transfer, etc are also eligible, provided that the works are unique. 5) Prints produced via purely digital means with multiple editions may be considered on a case to case basis (e.g if the specific print is part of a limited printing run, if the specific print is wholly unique from other editions etc.) 6) Preferred sizes for submitted artwork range from 24 x 36 inches to 48 x 60 inches (and any size in between). Smaller works will also be eligible. Due to logistical constraints, works larger than 48 x 60 inches may not be considered at this time. 7) Artwork should ideally be framed/mounted as per the artist’s discretion, although this is not compulsory. We do, however, ask that the work is preserved against the elements via quality fixatives and other appropriate treatments. 8) While Call for Art 2.0 calls for wall-mounted artwork, a limited number of sculptural and other types of installations may also be considered. 9) Please use inches for measuring your work. We do not understand centimetres!

Process & Compensation:

1) Please email us at [email protected] with the following PDF documents: a) High-resolution images of your artwork (with title, medium, artwork size, size when framed, if applicable and year of completion) clearly and prominently demarcated outside the parameters of the artwork’s visual. b) Artist biography (150 to 300 words) and/or up to date CV. For sample bios, please visit the Ambiance Hotels Artists’ Directory https://ambiancehotels.net/our-artists/). c) Artist statement of intent concerning submitted artwork/concerned series (150 to 250 words). d) Suggested price of individual artwork, if applicable (please see Clause 12 below) 2) Selected artists will also be asked to submit a high-resolution black and white profile photo of themselves via email. 3) The information requested in Clause 1 must be submitted in one email by 6 August, 2021. 4) The Ambiance Curatorial Committee will make a final selection by 3 September, 2021. Subsequently, all selected artists will be contacted via email. 5) If selected, artwork must be completed and delivered to Ambiance Hotel, Karachi at a specified date in September 2021 (finalists will be notified). 6) If the selected artwork is situated outside Karachi, delivery costs may be covered by Ambiance. However, safe packaging of the work is the responsibility of the artist. 7) Artists may submit more than one piece of work; each piece will be independently reviewed. 8) While the artwork selected as an outcome of this Call for Art will mainly become a part of the permanent collection of Ambiance Karachi, it is possible that the Committee may decide to retain certain works in the Ambiance Boutique Art Hotel’s Lahore collection. This decision shall remain at the final discretion of the Committee depending on the hotels’ requirements. 9) Artist’s whose work was selected as a result of last years Call for Art are welcome to apply for this second iteration but are asked to take note that all selections will be based on the strength of their current submission. 10) Selected artists will be featured on the hotel’s social media accounts as well as accounts of other parties/influencers associated with the Ambiance brand. Therefore, content and photos submitted as part of the application may be used as per the Committee’s discretion. 11) Shortlisted artists may be invited to participate in future art-inspired initiatives organised by the Ambiance brand at various locations. 12) The Curatorial Committee will determine offer prices for shortlisted works that fall within its recommended size and medium (see Clause 5 in “Medium & Size”). Offer prices for shortlisted pieces will range between PKR 25,000 to PKR 45,000 per piece (based on size, medium, etc), even if your work’s suggested value or market value is higher. This stipulation will enable Ambiance Boutique Art Hotel Karachi to develop a more extensive and diverse art collection while also benefiting a larger pool of young artists. The Committee’s offers, if any, will be final and non-negotiable. 13) Please take note of the above and only submit your work if you are in agreement with the terms and conditions.

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