Footnotes

Provenance
Property from a private collection, Pakistan.

Anna Molka Ahmed was a pioneering Pakistani artist and educator whose influence on the art scene in Pakistan remains profound. Born in London in 1917 to a Polish mother and a Russian father, she showed an early interest in the arts, which led her to study painting at Saint Martin's School of Art. In 1939, she moved to Lahore after marrying Sheikh Ahmed, a young poet and teacher, and embraced her new cultural milieu with vigour and enthusiasm.

Ahmed is celebrated as one of the first female artists in Pakistan to establish herself in a predominantly male art world. Her arrival in Lahore coincided with a pivotal period in the subcontinent's history, and she played a crucial role in shaping the nascent art community in the newly formed Pakistan. In 1940, she founded the Department of Fine Arts at the University of the Punjab, Lahore, where she served as the head for over three decades, nurturing generations of Pakistani artists.

Her artistic practice is known for its robust, impassioned style, marked by bold brushwork, vibrant colours, and emotionally charged compositions. Influenced by both European modernist movements and traditional South Asian motifs, Ahmed often portrayed themes of social justice, rural life, and women's struggles, reflecting her deep empathy and understanding of the cultural and political shifts of her time. Her works span a range of mediums, including oils, pastels, and watercolours, and are noted for their dynamic energy and expressiveness.

Ahmed was a recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious President's Award for Pride of Performance (1963), in recognition of her contribution to art and education in Pakistan. Her legacy endures not only through her own artwork, held in collections across Pakistan and internationally, but also through her impact as a teacher and mentor who paved the way for countless artists in the country.

To see a similar work sold in these rooms see Bonhams, Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art, London, 5th June 2024, lot 61.