Early Life and Education

Born in 1979 in Shahdadpur, a small town in Sindh, Pakistan, Irfan Gul Dahri's journey into the arts was marked by determination and resilience. In 1993, his family relocated to Hyderabad to pursue better educational opportunities. While initially enrolled in a commerce program at the University of Sindh, Dahri's passion for art was ignited through a friend's encouragement upon seeing his sketches. Despite familial opposition, he pursued his artistic aspirations and gained admission to the National College of Arts (NCA) in Lahore. There, he excelled academically, consistently ranking at the top of his class and earning both the Chughtai Award and the Principal’s Honors Award upon completing his B. Design in Textile Design in 2003.

Professional Development and Artistic Practice
After graduating, Dahri worked as a textile designer and illustrated children's books while continuing his painting practice. In 2006, he joined NCA as a lecturer, a position he has held since, contributing significantly to art education in Pakistan . He later pursued a Master's degree in Visual Arts at NCA and was awarded the Charles Wallace Visiting Artist Fellowship in 2013–14, allowing him to study at the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts in London.

Artistic Themes and Notable Works
Dahri's work often explores themes of identity, transformation, and socio-cultural narratives. His "Hybrid" series, for instance, features human-animal figures that delve into personal and collective experiences . In his 2018 solo exhibition "Perceptions" at O Art Space, he presented nine mythical figures that reflect on human identity and the struggle between reality and perception.

Awards and Recognition
Dahri's contributions to the art world have been recognized with several awards. In 2017, he received the Arjumand Painting Award, securing the top position among emerging artists . His earlier accolades include the Chughtai Award and the Principal’s Honors Award during his undergraduate studies .