Shahid Malik, who came to Australia some 30 years ago, brought with him a dream that came true in January 2019. Malik, together with his partner Abbas Chittalwala, has launched an art gallery called which, Malik said, will prove to become a haven for artists from the east in Australia.
Malik told SBS Urdu that the gallery will exhibit works by South Asian and Middle Eastern artists and will also soon organise workshops for new and aspiring artists.
"We will have veteran artists come from these regions and those in Australia, to conduct workshops and share their years of knowledge and experience with young artists," he said.
Artwork that speaks for itself
Source: Ayesha Hasan
Explaining the idea behind a very distinct looking oil painting on canvas, he explained it was dedicated to Imam Hussain, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, who was martyred in Karbala.
He said the message behind the painting was that Imam Hussain was for everyone.
“I didn’t have to be a Shia Muslim to express my reverence for him.”
“The light red paint depicts fresh blood and the black depicts the chaos. The engravings on the painting speak of the physical torture, pain, and bloodshed. His name is painted in gold, to depict the grandeur of his being,” he said.
Source: Ayesha Hasan
Another celestial-looking abstract painting adorned the center wall at the gallery.
Malik said it took him two years to make it and it depicted the space - inside us and beyond the world. 
The need for a South Asian-centric gallery
Source: Ayesha Hasan
Malik said he felt the need for a South Asian-centric gallery to promote their work on all topics. He said there weren’t enough private art galleries in the area and council galleries, he added, had some restrictions on topics, dates, and approvals.
He said works by artists from Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh and the Middle East was exhibited at the art gallery.
Source: Ayesha Hasan
Source: Ayesha Hasan
Source: Ayesha Hasan
Source: Ayesha Hasan
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