This gruesome act took place three days ago, according to reports, when his tied and gagged body was found at his Karachi residence on Wednesday. This gruesome incident has pained all art lovers. Gulgee's murder makes a convincing reminder that moderation and restraint, favourite catch word of President Musharraf, does not prevail in Pakistan. Things are likely to become worse as the election fever gathers momentum.
As of now, one is ignorant about the circumstances or the motives of the murder of this gentle person, who was known for his love for everybody and for creating a sense of wonder for all fine things of life.
Ismail Gulgee an award-winning painter made Pakistan famous throughout the world for his natural paintings-most of them created in lapis lazuli. His paintings adorn the Parliament building, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Tate gallery, Lahore Museum, Karachi Museum. Since 1960s, he has created sculptures, including bronze pieces that are (like so many of his paintings) calligraphic in form and inspiration, and sometimes specifically based on verses from the Holy Qur'an.
His work at Islamabad includes the crescent (created of pure gold), which sits at the tallest minaret of the Faisal mosque, including the official portrait of the father of nation Muhammad Ali Jinnah created both in lapis lazuli as well as colour painting. The reproduction of this painting is seen in most government and private offices and buildings throughout the country.
Ismail Gulgee was born at Peshawar. At first he was an engineer working at the Warsak Dam, but started painting when he went to study at Columbia and Harvard universities during 1950 in the United States, taking strong influence from influence from Elaine Hamilton, but then he grew into an abstract painter who illustrated the beautiful names of Allah in myriad ways.
His paintings, lapis lazuli portraits, shine with vibrant colours, and his work are noted for his sensibility to colours. He was also seen in a recent TV advertisement showing him sitting in his own home with soft colours painted on his wall of his home and the colours exceedingly well with the surrounding. With all these soothing effects he worked with concentration.
Although he was getting international notices and writes-up pertaining to his art were regularly published in this country, the first illustrated and colour monograph about him was written by Syed Amjad Ali and edited and published by this scribe. Gulgee's son Amin is also a award winning painter, jewel artist and sculptor.