Prof. Dr. Muhammad Shafique Farooqi – A Journey Through Spiritual Art.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Shafique Farooqi, born on June 10, 1949, in Sialkot, Pakistan, is one of Pakistan’s most senior and celebrated artists. In 2025, he celebrates his 75th birthday, marking over six decades of an extraordinary artistic journey that blends tradition, spirituality, and contemporary expression.

Early Life and Education
Farooqi began his formal training in the arts at the National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore, where he earned a Certificate in Fine Art in 1968. He later pursued a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from Istanbul University in 1997 and was awarded an honorary doctorate in Spiritual Arts from the Royal American University. Throughout his life, Farooqi has not only produced art but also shaped young minds, notably serving as Director of the Islamic Art and Craft Department at Minhaj University, Lahore.

Artistic Legacy
Farooqi’s professional journey began early, with his paintings featured in a group exhibition as early as 1965. Since then, his work has regularly appeared in both solo and group exhibitions over the past several decades, both in Pakistan and abroad. His portfolio includes over 10,000 artworks, showcased in over 100 solo shows and numerous international group exhibitions.

Farooqi’s art is widely collected, with significant collections in Pakistan, Europe, and especiallyTurkey, where many of his works are held in art museums and universities.

A notable chapter of his life was spent in Turkey from 1983 to 1999, where he was profoundly influenced by Sufi mysticism. This spiritual awakening gave birth to his iconic "Whirling Dervishes" series, inspired by Maulana Rumi and the Mevlevi order’s Sema ceremony. These works reflect a deep connection between the divine and the artistic spirit.

Artistic Style and Philosophy
Farooqi’s paintings reflect the light of the inner self, drawing heavily from Rumi’s mysticism. His expressive brushwork, often referred to as a “dancing brush,” channels a sense of movement, revelation, and emotional resonance. His work is not rooted in intellectual logic but in spiritual insight it is revelation, not reasoning.

He masterfully uses shifting tones and a vibrant color palette to evoke emotion, offering a unique sensory experience that reveals his deep command over the medium.

Recognition and Influence
His exceptional contributions to the arts were recognized nationally when he received the Pride of Performance award from the President of Pakistan in 2021. He has also published eight books, with a ninth in progress, covering themes from calligraphy to spiritual expression.

In addition to his artistic output, Farooqi has contributed to national causes — notably donating ten master artworks to support the Diamer-Bhasha Dam Project.

Legacy
As Shafique Farooqi turns 75, his life’s work stands as a luminous testament to the transformative power of spiritual art. Through his brush, he paints not just forms and colors but the journey of the soul, the rhythm of the divine, and the dance of revelation.