Born in 1957, Paul-Mehdi Rizvi is a Broadcast professional, living and working in Karachi, where, since 2011 he has been developing his practice as a mature artist. His de facto academic achievements include a Bachelor’s in Medicine from Karachi University, and an MBA in Information Technology in Management (Canada). His creative bent (established by keeping a portfolio over the years), allowed him to be enrolled as a full-time student for a Higher National Diploma in Audio-Visual Design (Communication Design, Graphics, Photography, Sound and Videography) in London, UK (1989-1992). These latter qualifications have enabled him to work in the UK and Pakistan as Creative Head at various advertising agencies affiliated to international agencies, as well as at Production houses as a Producer-Director
With early classes at The Arts Council of Karachi in drawing and painting, plus instructional sessions from other professionals, and his tried and tested communication skills, he also brings to his career as a visual and conceptual artist, a higher-than-average level of organizational and research capabilities. His readings at scholastic levels, ranging from Social Theory, Semiotics, Literary Theory, Art Theory and Psychoanalysis are in fact driving forces that enable him to engage in the discourse surrounding the Arts and aid him in a search for methodologies that narrow the gap between art theory and pragma. He is considered a highly experimental and innovative internationalist by most critics.
Beginning with a solo exhibition at Artchowk, Karachi, in November 2012, he has shown work at least twice annually as the founder of The Artists Of The Manifesto of Nomadism (a document initiated in 2010) or within group shows, primarily at The Artchowk Gallery and Full Circle (Vasl Artist’s Association).
