04/10/2024
Lala Rukh (1948–2017) was a renowned Pakistani artist, educator, and women's rights activist. Known for her minimalist and meditative art, her works captured the essence of rhythm and time, blending calligraphy, music, and visual art. Lala Rukh earned her Masters in Fine Arts from the University of Punjab and later from the University of Chicago, marking the beginning of a distinguished career. She taught at Punjab University for 30 years and was instrumental in creating the MA (Hons) Visual Arts Program at the National College of Arts in Lahore. Her art, such as Mirror Image and Rupak, is celebrated globally, with pieces housed in prestigious collections like the Tate Modern and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her works, grounded in minimalism, reflect the rhythmic, sonic quality of Hindustani classical music, particularly through her unique visual notational systems. Rupak, for instance, animates the seven-beat rhythm of the classical taal. As a founding member of the Women’s Action Forum (WAF) in 1981, Lala Rukh was a key figure in advocating for women’s rights in Pakistan. She used her artistic talents to design and print posters for protests during martial law and against the Hudood Ordinances, amplifying the fight for equality. Her activism was not limited to art; she was jailed for her role in the movement against General Zia's dictatorship and later, during the 2007 emergency under Musharraf. Lala Rukh's commitment to art and activism remains a powerful legacy. Her involvement with the All Pakistan Music Conference, founded by her father, Hayat Ahmad Khan, further enriched her work, combining her love for art and music. Her meditative and symbolic artistic expressions continue to inspire generations of artists and activists, leaving an indelible mark on both Pakistan’s cultural and feminist movements. Inked is honored to archive & print some of her most iconic works, preserving her contributions to both art and activism.