Mughees Riaz – Biography

Mughees Riaz, born on March 23, 1971, in Pakistan, is a nationally acclaimed artist, painter, and art educator based in Lahore. He hails from a family with a deep artistic legacy; his maternal grandfather, Muhammad Azad, was the first poster painter of Pakistani cinema. This early exposure to art greatly influenced his creative development and interest in visual storytelling.

Riaz pursued formal education in fine arts at the University of the Punjab, Lahore. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1997, followed by a Master of Fine Arts in 1999, and later completed his M.Phil in 2015. His academic background has played a pivotal role in shaping his artistic philosophy and technical skills.

He is best known for his evocative landscape paintings, particularly his depictions of the River Ravi near Lahore. These works are celebrated for their atmospheric sensitivity and nuanced portrayal of light, often capturing the tranquil beauty of sunsets in soft pastel tones. Common motifs in his landscapes include crows, buffaloes, boats, and rustic huts, elements that reflect the rural life and cultural rhythms of Punjab.

Beyond landscapes, Riaz also explores still life, portraiture, and figurative compositions. His figure paintings are often rich in symbolism, incorporating elements like clay pots, birds, and animals to deepen the emotional and thematic resonance of his work.

Over the course of his career, Mughees Riaz has held numerous solo exhibitions across Pakistan in cities such as Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. His artwork has also been showcased internationally in countries including the United Kingdom, United States, and India, earning him recognition beyond national borders.

In 2003, he was honored with the National Excellence Award at the 8th National Exhibition of Visual Arts, organized by the Pakistan National Council of the Arts, an acknowledgment of his outstanding contributions to the visual arts.

In addition to his artistic practice, Riaz serves as a permanent faculty member at the Institute of Art and Design, University of the Punjab, Lahore. Through his teaching, he continues to mentor and inspire a new generation of Pakistani artists, further enriching the country’s artistic heritage.