About Anwar Jalal Shemza
​(1928-1985)

Anwar Jalal Shemza (born Simla 1928, died Stafford 1985), is a world-renowned British Pakistani painter. There has been greater recognition of his work since his death in 1985 beginning with the pioneering exhibition ‘The Other Story’ 1989, Hayward Gallery. Shemza’s painting ‘The Wall’ was chosen to illustrate the cover of the catalogue. His unique style developed through a painting practice which fused Western ideas of abstraction with Eastern influences such as Islamic architecture and calligraphy.

Selected public collections include: Tate, British Museum (UK), Metropolitan Museum, (USA), Guggenheim (Abu Dhabi), Sharjah Art Foundation, and M+ Museum, (Hong Kong).
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The Estate of Anwar Jalal Shemza is represented by Hales Gallery (London) and Jhaveri Contemporary (London, India).

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Latest News

Fighting to be Heard
​17th January - 27th April 2025
Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

War Sonnet, 1969 from the Bradford District Museums and Galleries collection will be included in the Fighting to be Heard exhibition at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery. The work is featured alongside calligraphic works from the British Library that have been chosen in collaboration with eight Bradford-based, British South Asian Muslim men who are associated with Tasif Khan Community Boxing Academy.

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Works

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"One circle, one square, one problem, one life is not enough to solve it” - Anwar Jalal Shemza, 1962